Hundreds of Manx patients affected by data error
More than 430 patients on the Isle of Man have been subject to a data error resulting in their home addresses being changed to UK ones, Manx Care has said.
The island's healthcare provider said NHS England had incorrectly recorded temporary UK residences as permanent addresses for island residents who were receiving treatment there.
A spokeswoman said that so far about 446 patients had been affected, with further cases likely to be confirmed as "awareness increases".
She said Manx Care was "actively collaborating" with UK healthcare bodies and integrated care boards to "improve how address changes are managed, particularly for patients moving between the Isle of Man and the UK".
NHS systems on the Isle of Man and in the UK work independently, but data is shared when address changes are made.
The Manx Care spokeswoman said: "In some cases the UK system assumed a permanent relocation rather than a temporary visit."
This led to "unintended updates to patient records", she added.
Manx Care said it was contacting GP practices to verify permanent addresses to all of those affected by the error and had reiterated "the importance of not replacing records" to UK health providers.
Meanwhile, the health body has urged anyone who has been treated in the UK and expected correspondence from Manx Care, to get in touch with their GP practice to "review your records".
Potential impacts on care could mean people miss or have delayed invitations for routine screenings or appointments at Noble's Hospital.
Manx Care said that despite the error, patients would not lose their places at their Manx GP practice.
The healthcare body apologised for "any confusion or disruption" and said people's "health and peace of mind [were] top priorities".
Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Rising costs ignite review into off-island care
Society outlines concerns over Manx Care mandate
Patients 'in limbo' over health cuts, MHK says
Manx Care
NHS England
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Takeover of GP surgery 'concerning'
Campaigners are holding a tug-of-war to highlight what they say is the threat to a community-run, non-profit GP surgery in Brighton from a private company. The Whitehawk surgery is currently run by the Wellsbourne Healthcare Community Interest Company, but it could be handed over to Leeds-based One Medical Group after NHS Sussex started procuring for a new contract. NHS Sussex said it could not comment on the procurement process as it was still under way. Janet Sang, part of Sussex Defend NHS, said the campaign group was "extremely concerned" that an "effective and well-loved GP service" could be transferred to a profit-making entity. "We believe this is... not in the best interests of the people of Whitehawk," she added. One Medical Group, which said it had more than two decades of experience in "delivering high-quality primary care services across the UK", said it could not comment as the procurement process was ongoing. It added it had "consistently delivered [NHS services] to the highest standard across diverse demographics". "We pride ourselves on.... our collaborative approach with local communities, ensuring that healthcare is both reflective and responsive to local needs," it continued. NHS Sussex said it needed to procure a new contract for running the doctor's surgery, which serves around 8,300 people, as the current one has expired. It said the new contract had been designed to meet the needs of the local population in what it called one of the most deprived areas in Sussex. Wellsbourne Healthcare CIC took over the GP surgery several years ago after the previous private provider walked away, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Anger over uncertain future of GP surgery Brighton & Hove City Councillor David McGregor, who said he planned to attend the tug-of-war event, said the Wellsbourne Healthcare CIC had done a "fantastic job" and NHS Sussex should "reconsider". Chris Ward, Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has started a petition - titled Save Wellsbourne Healthcare - that has more than 3,000 signatures as of 5 June. Sarah Webb, business manager at Wellsbourne Healthcare CIC, previously urged NHS Sussex to talk to the people of Whitehawk. "Listen to residents," she told BBC Radio Sussex in May. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Anger over uncertain future of GP surgery NHS Sussex Local Democracy Reporting Service
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Almost quarter of drivers have not had eye test in past two years
Nearly one in four drivers (24%) have not had an eye test in the past two years, a new survey suggests. The poll, commissioned by insurer Churchill, comes amid growing concern over the lack of checks on drivers once they pass their test. Drivers in the UK must read a number plate 20 metres away as part of their driving test, but that is the only time they are required to prove their sight is good enough to drive. The NHS recommends people have their eyes tested every two years. Motorists are required to self-declare if they have a medical condition that could affect their ability to drive. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander received a prevention of future deaths report from HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire Dr James Adeley in April, which related to the deaths of four people killed by drivers with failing eyesight. The motorists had ignored the advice of opticians that their sight had deteriorated to a level where they should no longer drive. The Churchill survey suggested that 83% of UK adults would support compulsory eye tests for drivers every decade. The figure rises to 88% for those who would be in favour of sight exams every three years once drivers reach 70 years old. Some 12% of drivers surveyed admitted they either thought their sight was not road legal, or were not sure it was. Department of Transport (DfT) figures show 240 people were injured and seven were killed in crashes on Britain's roads in 2023 in which defective eyesight was a factor. That was the most casualties since 2017, when the total was 262. Nicholas Mantel, head of motor insurance at Churchill, said: 'It seems surprising that UK drivers never need to prove that their eyesight is safe enough for driving once they have passed their driving test. 'What is even more remarkable is that some people continue to drive despite suspecting that their eyesight isn't good enough – or are doing so without wearing their prescription lenses or glasses. 'Our research suggests that there's overwhelming public support to make our roads safer by introducing compulsory eyesight tests for drivers.' Ms Alexander recently told the Commons Transport Select Committee she is 'open to considering' requiring older motorists to pass eye tests to keep their driving licence. This could be part of the Government's upcoming road safety strategy. A DfT spokesman said: 'Every death on our roads is a tragedy, and our thoughts remain with the families of everyone who has lost a loved one in this way. 'The NHS recommends adults should have their eyes tested every two years and drivers are legally required to inform the DVLA if they have a condition which affects their eyesight. 'We are committed to improving road safety and continue to explore ways to achieve this.' – The survey was conducted by research company Opinium between May 20-23 among 2,000 UK adults, of whom 1,312 were drivers.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Don't go to A&E, walking wounded told
The walking wounded will be told to stay away from A&E in the biggest shake-up since the NHS was founded. Wes Streeting said a raft of changes would bring the health service 'out of the dark ages', promising more care closer to home. The urgent and emergency care plan was first promised in January, when ministers came under fire over 'catastrophically' long trolley waits. On Friday, health officials will promise to create a network of around 40 same-day emergency care and urgent treatment centres to deal with all but the most serious crises. The rapid rollout this year will see millions of patients encouraged to visit the centres instead of A&E. Health chiefs said the measures, which would cost £450 million, would 'resuscitate' the system. The units aim to focus on cases that are not life-threatening, with treatment and discharge of patients the same day, to avoid unnecessary admissions to hospital. The network is likely to include units sited next to A&Es. They will be able to carry out a raft of tests, dealing with deteriorations in chronic illnesses, and problems such as wound infections. Officials said the plans would mean 800,000 fewer patients each year waiting more than four hours at A&E. At least one in five people who attended A&E did not need urgent or emergency care at all, officials said, while a still larger number could fare better with help elsewhere. Mr Streeting has been inspired by a visit to Australia, where he saw same-day centres in action. He said far too many people were ending up in A&E for want of GP appointments, comparing the average £400 cost of an A&E visit with the £40 cost of a GP slot. The plan will also include the rollout of up to 15 mental health crisis assessment centres, to divert such patients away from casualty units to specialist support. In addition, 500 new ambulances will be promised. The plan will also set out new ways of working, so paramedics can give the right help sooner after accessing patient data 'on the spot'. Currently many ambulance crews are unable to find out the most basic details of patients' medical history, other than what they are told at the call-out. As a result, thousands of patients are automatically taken to hospital, when with the right information they could be better treated elsewhere. Under a system of 'connected care records', paramedics will be able to access patients' treatment histories on smartphones, laptops and other devices. Mr Streeting said the plan would take the NHS 'out of the dark ages'. He told The Telegraph: 'Many patients who end up in A&E don't need to be there and could get better treatment elsewhere. 'By giving paramedics access to the latest technology on the go, they'll be able to make better decisions and deliver better outcomes for patients.' The Health Secretary said too many patients had ended up stuck on trolleys or facing 'unacceptably long waiting times' for ambulances, for want of care elsewhere. He said: 'Far too many patients are ending up in A&E who don't need or want to be there, because there isn't anywhere else available. Because patients can't get a GP appointment, which costs the NHS £40, they end up in A&E, which costs around £400; worse for patients and more expensive for the taxpayer.' He added that the plan would tackle ambulance handover delays and corridor care. Mr Streeting said: 'No patient should ever be left waiting for hours in hospital corridors or for an ambulance which ought to arrive in minutes. 'We can't fix more than a decade of underinvestment and neglect overnight. But through the measures we're setting out today, we will deliver faster and more convenient care for patients in emergencies,' he said. Sir Jim Mackey, the NHS chief executive, promised a 'radical change in approach'. He said: 'This major plan sets out how we will work together to resuscitate NHS urgent and emergency care, with a focus on getting patients out of corridors, keeping more ambulances on the road, and enable those ready to leave hospital can do so as soon as possible.' A&E waiting time standards have not been met for more than a decade, while the 18-minute target for category 2 ambulance calls has never been hit outside the pandemic. The document sets out plans for 'making progress towards eliminating corridor care', amid growing concerns that patients are being treated in unsafe environments. It will say the number facing trolley waits of more than 12 hours should be slashed, so that fewer than 10 per cent of patients face such delays. Around 1.7 million attendances at A&E every year currently exceed this time frame. However, the language appears to have been watered down from an earlier draft of NHS plans, which promised 'elimination'. The plan will also aim to reduce ambulance handovers to less than 45 minutes. Officials said league tables would be used to drive improvements. Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said the plan acknowledged the 'shameful situation' facing A&E patients. But he said the aims to cut trolley waits 'lack ambition'. The senior A&E doctor expressed concern that introducing a maximum 45-minute ambulance handover could end up with more patients piled up in casualty departments. Mr Streeting is already at loggerheads with the British Medical Association, with resident doctors (previously known as junior doctors) threatening to strike, despite being awarded the highest pay rise of all public sector workers. The plan aims to drive up A&E performance to 78 per cent, up from 75 per cent this year, meaning 'over 800,000 people a month will receive more timely care'. It follows a relentless rise in pressures on services, with ambulance usage up by 61 per cent since 2010-11. Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, said the investment was welcome, but said the plans risked 'missing the point' that so many people end up at A&E units because they could not get a GP appointment. She said: 'The system is broken, and this plan addresses the symptoms of a struggling system without tackling the root causes. It accepts that people are turning to A&E because they can't get GP appointments but without imminently expanding access to timely support closer to home, there's a real risk of simply shifting the pressure elsewhere in the system.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
