Health Minister Claire Christian says members of Tynwald have “taken away” the opportunity to make the Mandate to Manx Care more engaging and transparent.
Due to the department missing the deadline for this month’s Tynwald, backbenchers were able to block the debate after former minister Lawrie Hooper called for a vote on the controversial health plans.
While the documents do not currently require Tynwald approval, nor was any ever sought when Mr Hooper was minister, Ms Christian had moved to hold a general debate to allow for members to air their grievances.
Reacting to the government’s failure to secure sufficient backing for a debate, Ms Christian said: “The department has engaged with members and welcomed comments over last month since the Mandate was laid on the register, and I have been clear with members that my door is always open for them to discuss their concerns.
“I was hoping for continued constructive debate on Wednesday as we try tackle some of the challenges in delivering a quality and effective healthcare system within a set budget, this will now only happen after it legally comes into effect on the April 1.
“It was hoped that by the department tabling the debate alongside the documents, which don’t require Tynwald approval, that we would be making the process more engaging and transparent than previous years, but in rejecting the debate a small number of members have now taken away that opportunity. “
A debate will be held on the mandate next month when Mr Hooper’s motion to have it thrown out and rewritten will be debated by members.
Chief Minister Alf Cannan has said this risks changing “the whole ethos and fundamentals around the relationship between DHSC and Manx Care”.
However he did add that he was “well open to discussing that”.
7 Comments