Rising costs ignite review into off-island care

The "rapidly" growing cost of sending patients to hospitals in the UK for treatment has prompted a review into the care delivered off-island.

Manx Care said while some services at UK hospitals were essential, some may be "unnecessary" or could be provided differently.

As a result, the approach taken to offering off-island options, known as tertiary care, was being reviewed to "manage these costs effectively".

The healthcare provider recently paused all planned non-urgent procedures for Manx patients at UK hospitals until 31 March in a bid to reduce its overspend.

While a large number of care services were carried out locally, some patients "with specific conditions" were sent off-island "for better outcomes and efficiency", however there had been an increased reliance on these services, Manx Care said.

According to health bosses, there was an 8% tariff increase imposed by UK NHS providers in October 2024.

The Department of Health and Social Care has said that treatment led to expenditure that was "largely unpredictable and relates to high-cost, unplanned emergency and trauma care".

The island's health service is currently facing a £20m overspend for the 2024-25 financial year, with Tynwald members set to asked to support the additional funding next month.

Manx Care said its review would tackle a number of key areas, including how contractual arrangements with UK providers were carried out.

It would also look at how clinicians could review patient lists to "explore repatriation possibilities", and aimed to establish a "central off-island referral transfer team".

The healthcare provider said care for patients currently receiving treatment would not be affected but, as the review progressed, services may be repatriated to the island where "clinically appropriate".

Potential changes include patients attending on-island services, with links to off-island clinicians who would consult with a patient's local GP about their care.

Health bosses said the review aimed to improve patients' experience, provide clinicians with the flexibility to "manage their patients appropriately", and "ensure financial rigour" in paying for off-island treatments.

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