No plans to reopen weekend minor injuries unit

Weekend closures of the minor injuries unit were introduced last summer as a temporary measure

There are currently no plans to reinstate weekend services for minor injuries at a hospital in the north of the Isle of Man, the Health Minister has said.

In July 2024, temporary measures were introduced amid staff shortages, which saw the minor injuries unit at Ramsey Cottage Hospital open on week days only.

In a written response to Tynwald, Claire Christian said workforce levels had "moderately improved but remained below establishment" and there had been "no formal patient complaints."

The plan was therefore to keep the weekend closure until further notice, she said.

'Minimal impact'

This would "minimise the requirements for agency staff to cover the gap", a move which would result in extra cost to Manx Care and place additional pressure on existing staff, Christian continued.

She said the change, originally set to last for up to three months, had a "minimal impact" on the Noble's Hospital emergency department and the ambulance service and it had lead to improved staff morale.

A long-term decision around the opening of the unit is set to be made by the end of January as part of the urgent and emergency integrated care programme.

This will look at the current provision and how to improve access to urgent care in the "most clinically and cost-effective way", the minister added.