Views wanted on Manx nursing and home care cost model options

The online consultation is available until 12 January

People have been asked for their views on plans to overhaul who pays for nursing, residential and home care on the Isle of Man in future.

In July, Tynwald backed exploring two proposed options that would remove direct charges or cap the amount paid.

A consultation has been launched to understand which plan residents would prefer and gauge opinions on potential payment thresholds.

Drop-in sessions will also be held across the island.

Under the current system, people with assets pay for their care and much of the support offered is in a residential home setting, rather than at home.

Thresholds

The free personal care model would see medication, feeding, bathing and dressing at home or in a care home made free regardless of income or assets.

Under the mixed model, those with greater assets such as savings, property and investments above a certain threshold would pay for care costs up to a specified amount.

Those receiving care would need to meet their own accommodation and living costs in both cases, with alternative means tested support available to those who could not afford to pay.

The consultation asks which model would be preferred, who should be eligible to receive support and if residents think a potential threshold should sit at £100,000, £280,000 or £350,000.

The document said although the survey was not about how, or if, funds should be raised for either model, the outcome was "likely to affect all residents".

Any change could lead to the government deciding to raise funds by increasing tax or National Insurance, introducing a new levy, or reducing spend on an existing service to increase spend on care, the consultation document added.

Public drop-in sessions are scheduled to take place between 20 November and 7 December, and the online consultation is available until 12 January.

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