Latest news with #IsleofManMedicalSociety
BBC News
13-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Manx healthcare tax realistic way to boost income
Proposals to create an independent healthcare tax on the Isle of Man is a "realistic" way to generate revenue, the Treasury minister has said. Alex Allinson has defended proposals to introduce a levy, which have come under fire from a group representing medics. The Isle of Man Medical Society said plans for such a tax should be abandoned in favour of alternative measures it had put forward to "restructure and reform" Manx Allinson said costs were "going up year on year" and "being realistic we will need to look at how we raise extra revenue". The Treasury said a levy could generate up to £28m a year in additional funding for future health new charge, which is in response to a 14% yearly rise in health costs, would be deducted from people's incomes via the existing tax return system. 'Fundamental reform' Allinson, who is also a member of the medical society, said as costs continued to rise they had to "keep pace with inflation and some of the extra costs of the health service". While he agreed with the society's call for reform, he said: "The increased pay costs for those very doctors was forecast to cost an extra £2.4m.""That money has to come from somewhere," he Allinson agreed with the group that "fundamental reform of our healthcare service is important".There was a focus on moving services closer to communities in the health department's mandate to Manx Care, he document is due to be debated in Tynwald this month, following an initial delay to its consideration in Minister Claire Christian will also ask Tynwald members to approve setting up a committee to review the annual mandate. 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.
Reuters
25-03-2025
- Health
- Reuters
Isle of Man becomes first of British Isles to pass assisted dying bill
LONDON, March 25 (Reuters) - The Isle of Man, a self-governing British Crown Dependency off northwest England, on Tuesday approved a bill that would allow terminally ill adults the right to choose to end their own lives. The bill would give residents with less than 12 months to live the choice to receive help to end their lives, potentially making the island the first in the British Isles where terminally ill people would have the legal right to end their lives. Keep up with the latest medical breakthroughs and healthcare trends with the Reuters Health Rounds newsletter. Sign up here. Britain's parliament is considering a similar bill on assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales. That bill is currently undergoing line-by-line scrutiny and will need to pass a final vote in both houses of the British parliament if it is to become law. The Isle of Man is not part of the United Kingdom, but is considered part of the British Crown and has King Charles as its head of state. Alex Allinson, a doctor and politician on the Isle of Man who brought the legislation there forward, confirmed the passing of the bill. "Today, the Isle of Man parliament passed the Assisted Dying Bill which will now be submitted to the UK ministry of justice for Royal Assent," Allinson said in an emailed statement. The Royal Assent is when King Charles, the head of state of the Isle of Man and other Crown Dependencies, formally gives his stamp of approval for the bill to become law. Under the bill, those who wish to end their own lives must be terminally ill adults expected to die within 12 months. They must be aged over 18, registered with an Isle of Man family doctor and have been a resident on the island for five years. People must have the legal capacity to make the decision, which must be verified by two independent doctors. The bill was approved despite some opposing voices on the island of around 84,000 people. A 2023 Isle of Man Medical Society survey of 108 of its members - medical professionals - found 74% were against the bill, and 34% said they would go as far as considering leaving the island should it pass into law.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Society outlines concerns over Manx Care mandate
The latest mandate issued to Manx Care highlights issues with "ambiguity" in its action plans and an "urgent" need for a workforce review, a group representing medics has said. The Isle of Man Medical Society has outlined a raft of criticisms of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) document. The society, which set out eight key "weaknesses" within the mandate, said Manx Care risked "being seen as a failure unless urgent reform is undertaken". In a statement, the DHSC said it welcomed the "constructive comments" and it would discuss them "directly" with the group in the coming days. It said further engagement would "demonstrate and reassure" the society that its concerns were being addressed. In its response to the mandate, the society praised its "ambitious" strategic vision, its focus on preventative care, and financial transparency, but said "critical gaps" remained. It found that a lack of engagement with the public "diminishes inclusivity and responsiveness to community needs". The society also said there was a "lack of specific timelines" set out for Manx Care's objectives, which reduced "clarity and accountability". Possible cuts, particularly delays or cancellations to elective surgeries, were highlighted by the society as having the potential to have "severe and far-reaching consequences for patients and the health and wellbeing of our community", it said. The society said they were "not merely optional procedures" but "essential interventions that significantly improve the quality of life for our patients". The society also called for an "urgent" review into Manx Care's workforce, particularly its management structure, with the view of creating a "leaner" system led by professional and medical experts to "enhance operational efficiency". Other recommendations included carrying out an island-wide needs assessment to gauge the population's healthcare needs, as well as incorporating "detailed implementation plans". Tynwald members are set to have a general debate about the mandate, along with Manx Care's operational plan for 2025-26, at the March sitting of the parliament. 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. Plans for less frequent breast screening criticised Focus away from hospital care in plan to cut costs Survey finds Manx Care doctors 'deeply frustrated' Isle of Man Medical Society Manx Care
