Manx Care advice service drop-ins extended for winter months

Drop-in sessions offering advice signposting people to services and taking feedback on Manx health care have been increased for the winter.

The Manx Care Advice and Liaison Service (MCALS) has added several new dates and venues in December and January.

Advisors are set to visit warm spaces projects, churches and charity shops.

Rachel Douglas from the scheme said the advice service was "eager to reach people in all areas of the island".

The MCALS team currently host monthly sessions across the island, which give people the opportunity to share concerns about island health services or to seek advice about which service can help with their needs.

A spokeswoman said the drop-ins aim to improve patient's experiences by "helping to sort problems out quickly, providing advice and pointing people in the right direction to get the help they need".

The confidential service was "dedicated to driving positive change across the health and social care system by listening to feedback and acting upon it", she said.

The new venues include Port Erin Methodist Church, St Mary's on the Harbour Church in Castletown, and Colby Methodist Church in the south of the island.

Sessions at Crossroads for Carers' Tynwald Street Community Centre and the Benefits Office in Markwell House in Douglas, and at the Laxey Live at Home Digital Hub have also been added.

Those are on top of established drop-ins at Henry Bloom Noble Library in Douglas, Onchan Library, Peel Charity Shop, Jurby Health and Community Centre, Castletown Town Hall and Ramsey Town Hall.

Ms Douglas said the team understood that "not everyone is able to travel far", so taking the hubs closer to some people "allows them to have their voices heard".

The drop-ins will visit some of the government-funded warm spaces projects as they "provide an opportunity for friends and family to get together as well as providing us with feedback", she said.

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