Prescription fees frozen until after 2026 election

Charges for prescriptions, dental services and eye tests have been frozen until after the next general election, but the eligibility criteria may change under the latest plan by the health department.

Subject to Tynwald approval, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said it aimed to introduce an "equitable, fair and sustainable" set of criteria.

The department said public consultations on revisions have been scheduled for October 2025, but existing charges would remain the same for the "remainder of this administration".

The report confirms the DHSC intends to reform which groups would be eligible for free prescriptions over the 12-month period.

The move was outlined in the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Department Plan for 2025 - 2026, which will be debated at the July sitting of Tynwald.

It follows on from a cut in free prescriptions for minor conditions such as conjunctivitis and cystitis in early 2024.

The document also sets out the department's targets for the coming year, which include expanding home and community-based support, and improving access to services.

The department has allocated £361.8m to health service provider Manx Care for the financial year, which makes up the majority of the DHSC's budget.

Last year, the the arm's length body overspent by £15.3m.

Risks facing the department have been cited as continued financial pressures including rising costs, aging buildings, and population growth, the report said.

But it said mitigations included upgrading ambulance stations and hospital facilities, focusing spending on protecting core services within Manx Care and improving efficiencies across the organisation.

Interim chief officer Tim O'Neill said the DHSC would work with providers, politicians and officers to "improve outcomes and maximise the impact of every Manx pound spent across health and social care services".

The report also noted recent progress, such as the introduction of Autism and carers' strategies, but highlighted concerns about rising costs and staffing challenges.

The department stated that the government "might not be able to fund Manx Care to run all health and social care services that people want to have on the island".

Reflecting on the previous department plan, the report describes providing a talk therapy service for young people with mental health issues as one of its "key achievements".

However, it said the production of a draft 10-year strategy for residential, nursing and respite care has been delayed until next year while a broader assessment of health and wellbeing needs is being undertaken.

Plans to reduce elective waiting lists have also been paused until the results of a review to understand patient treatment needs has been completed.

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