Lack of funds led to slow long Covid service set-up, ex-minister says

David Ashford was health minister from 2018 to 2021

A lack of funding led to the slow roll out of Isle of Man long Covid services, a former minister has said.

A recent review into the government's handling of the pandemic said support should have been launched "in parallel" with the emergency response.

The island's first cases of Covid were confirmed in March 2020 but services did not start until January 2023.

Former health minister David Ashford said it was not in "the top 10 of government priorities" at the time.

A report published as part of the independent inquiry by Kate Brunner KC made 31 recommendations.

Ms Brunner said: "When there is a pandemic of this nature, a post viral effect is entirely predictable."

"It shouldn't be left until the end of an emergency or a pandemic to start considering how are we going to pick up the pieces here," she added.

'Brand new service'

Mr Ashford, who led the island's healthcare response at the height of the pandemic, said there were not the funds available within the the Department of Health and Social Care's budget to set up support any sooner.

He said: "Front-line staff had to make sure that we were keeping the island safe and focus on the Covid response."

"Balanced against other government priorities, although it was a priority for the department of health, it didn't necessarily hit the top 10 of government priorities overall."

The long Covid service also supports those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).

Work to create a bespoke ME and CFS service had been in development since 2018 and Mr Ashford said the best approach was to combine the services due to the island's "size and capacity".

"There was no way we were going to be able to fund it just out of the day to day healthcare budget," he said.

"There wasn't that manoeuvrability in the budget margins, so it had to be a brand new business case for a brand new service."

Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X? You can also send story ideas to [e-mail]