Emergency department visits rise by 35% since 2014

The number of people attending the emergency department at the Isle of Man's main hospital has increased by almost 35% over the last decade, new data has revealed.

Claire Christian, minister for Health and Social Care, has released the figures in response to a written question by Onchan MHK Julie Edge.

It showed that in 2014, more than 35,000 people visited Noble's Hospital for emergency care in comparison to almost 48,000 in 2024.

Ms Edge also asked for figures on the number of patients having operations, outpatient appointments and demand at the radiology department.

In total, about 264,500 people were seen at the hospital across the four areas in 2024, compared to more than 230,000 a decade earlier.

Figures showed a year-on-year rise in demand for radiology appointments, which has increased from 66,629 per year to 82,011 last year.

Outpatient appointments, where residents need care but do not need to stay overnight, rose by about 6,000 to 129,453.

There was also a small rise in the number of operations carried out, increasing from 5,092 to 5,120 across the period.

In Manx Care's most recent annual report, chief executive Teresa Cope said increased demand for services was being "largely driven by our aging population and the complex health needs that come with it".

The data comes as the island's healthcare provider faces a £16.8m deficit this financial year, and has been tasked with making savings in a bid to balance its books.

In October, it announced £5m of wide-ranging cuts to services, including the reducing spending on the use of bank and agency staff.

The body's was increased to £346m in February's budget from £303m in 2023, and the government introduced a 2% increase in April in the higher rate of income tax to be ringfenced for health and social care spending.

The organisation is also facing strike action by Manx doctors in a dispute over pay.

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