Politicians delay debate on health care mandate

A bid to have a general debate on the mandate given to the Isle of Man's health service for the year ahead has been rejected by politicians.

Members of Tynwald have instead opted to discuss the document and Manx Care's operating plan in April, when separate motion will allow for a vote on the issue.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan argued the general debate would have covered key challenges in ensuring care was given "in the right way for the money that is available".

But former health minister Lawrie Hooper said the mandate represented "a sizable shift away from what we are used to seeing" and members should be allowed to vote on it.

Manx Care recently published its aims for the next financial year, in response to the annual document from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

In its operating plan the health care provider outlined how it aimed to stay within its £361.8m budget, with a focus on reducing pressure at Noble's Hospital using measures such as reducing hospital bed capacity and increasing private collaboration.

But concerns have been raised by the Isle of Man Medical Society and cancer charities about possible reductions in some services.

During the March sitting Tynwald a bid by Health Minister Claire Christian to have standing orders suspended to allow the general debate to take place was unsuccessful.

A general debate allows politicians to discuss an issue without voting on any resolution at the end.

Christian said it would have been an opportunity to a debate the issues ahead of the operational year, which begins on 1 April and to "hear the voice of your people" through members' contributions.

Encouraging politicians to back the move, Cannan told members it would allow for a "calm, sensible debate on behalf of constituents" on the key challenges facing the island's health service.

Not going ahead would be "huge opportunity missed", he said.

But Hooper said the new mandate represented "a massive change to the way services are delivered", and he had already tabled a motion for the April sitting that would give members the chance to vote on the document.

In it he argues that the mandate and operating plan were "inadequate" and represented an "unacceptable reduction in services" for residents.

He has also called for the DHSC to produce updated versions of the documents.

The suspension of standing orders required 16 votes in the House of Keys, but only 14 members supported the move so the general debate did not take place.

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