Call for future private healthcare delivery review

The Isle of Man Medical Society has raised concerns about independent private healthcare

A group representing medics has called for a review of Manx Care's role in the future provision of private healthcare ahead of plans for a private sector medical facility being considered.

Proposals put forward by Kingsley Land and Property Ltd would see the conversion of a former office block in Douglas into a 15-bed private hospital, which it said would "complement" NHS services and "free up space and facilities".

The Isle of Man Medical Society (IOMMS) said the creation of facilities operating independently of public services could risk the "cherry-picking" of "high-revenue, low-complexity cases" leaving complex cases for Manx Care to treat.

Manx Care has been approached for a comment.

In February, Health Minister Claire Christian said she expected the private patient unit (PPU) at Noble's Hospital would reopen in June after it was closed in 2019, but is currently still closed.

'Release space'

The proposals for the new private hub would include 13 consultation rooms and 15 day beds, plus MRI, radiology, blood clinic and X-ray facilities.

In the application the developers said the facility would "release space" at the island's main hospital for those needing treatment provided by Manx Care.

It said the proposals for the site at Summerhill Business Park on Victoria Road were "not in conflict with the existing services provided" but would instead "complement them and free up space and facilities".

Plans have been submitted to convert former offices in Douglas into a medical facility

In a statement the IOMMS said it recognised the "importance of developing a coherent and sustainable framework for private healthcare provision on the island".

The society said it could reduce current pressures on public services and encourage experienced specialists to move to the island to practice.

But it raised concerns about the possibility of independent private facilities "inadvertently" increasing average healthcare costs per person "by leaving a disproportionate number of complex cases to an under-resourced and understaffed public sector".

It also suggested the delayed reopening of the PPU had meant a "substantial loss of potential revenue" to Manx Care and the Treasury.

Calling for the Manx parliament to undertake a "comprehensive public review" into the future of private healthcare, the IOMMS said it should assess "clinical need and commercial intent", with input from public and private stakeholders.

The role of the PPS should be "central to any review" as it offered a "viable means of returning locally generated revenues" to benefit all Manx residents "rather than external shareholders", it added.