Surgical procedures cut to reduce £16.8m Manx Care overspend

BBC

Manx Care has cut the number elective surgery procedures carried out each week to reduce an estimated £16.8m overspend, the health minister has confirmed.

Lawrie Hooper said the cancellations would affect ear, nose and throat, gynaecology and general surgery but not urgent and cancer procedures.

The reduction in theatre lists from 30 to 24.5 each week could save an estimated £220,000 in the last six months of the financial year, he said.

But the Isle of Man Medical Society said the plans would have "severe and far-reaching consequences for patient care and the overall health of our community".

In a statement the society said the procedures were “essential interventions that significantly improve the quality of life for our patients”.

“Delaying or cancelling these surgeries will lead to prolonged suffering, increased morbidity, and potentially life and limb-threatening complications for those awaiting treatment”, the statement said.

Urging the Manx Care board to explore "alternative cost-saving measures that do not compromise patient care", including streamlining the current management structure, it said the decision to cuts were short-sighted and failed to consider the “long-term implications” for patients.

Manx Care previously warned that some services could be cut to reduce its overspend.

The healthcare provider's budget was increased to £346m in February's budget from £303m in 2023.

Last year, it also received an additional £18.3m to reduce waiting lists in orthopaedics, general surgery and ophthalmology after Tynwald approved the move.

Responding to a Tynwald question for written answer, Mr Hooper said the cancellations had been selected within areas that currently have the lowest waiting times.

He said while it was accepted by Manx Care that it would extend waiting lists within those specialties but confirmed systems were in place to ensure that any urgent or cancer procedures would not be affected by the reductions.