Latest news with #ManxCare
BBC News
14 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Isle of Man TT: 'Art and science' to emergency care planning
There is an "art and science" to planning the emergency healthcare response to the annual TT festival, the man tasked with running the ambulance service has said. More doctors, nurses, surgeons, and ambulances are available over the fortnight on the Isle of Man, which runs until 7 Care's director of ambulance services Will Bellamy said there was ongoing forward thinking to factor in what marks the health care provider's busiest time. He said: "It's a massive influx of population to the island and we factor that into our planning." As well as an increase of on-call and on-duty staff within Manx Care, Mr Bellamy said a further eight members of "mutual aid" had come over from the south east coast ambulance service. While the local team would receive an average of 500 calls to 999 over a two-week period, during the TT fortnight that rose by about 200, he said. 'Myriad of procedures' Over the racing fortnight elective surgeries are paused to enable extra capacity for trauma care at Noble's Hospital. Mr Bellamy explained that there were additional doctors and nurses on shift within the minor injuries units and emergency department, as well as more surgeons, to cope with the potential increase on were also extra teams to operate aircraft to transport patients to hospitals in the UK whenever needed, with daily discussions held with tertiary specialist hospitals about available capacity, he said. Throughout most of the year there are four frontline ambulances on duty during the day, and three at night on the island. But Mr Bellamy said that increased to seven during the day and five overnight during the TT said while you could not predict the number of incidents any one year, there was an "art and science to be applied".He said the "art" came from years of history and experience knowing "where accident black spots will be".The science was looking at the data, especially 999 calls, "to come up with an activity plan and a response plan for the island", he Bellamy also offered a reassure local residents and visitors that if anyone fell ill during the TT, especially during racing, that there were "a myriad of procedures to get around this island" and no one should delay calling them. "Whether we come to you via cars, ambulances, or we come to you in the air via a helicopter, it's all been part of our planning," he added. 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.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Learning disability care reform needed
The normalisation of restrictive practices and and mismatch of accommodation were among issues identified in a review of care for adults with learning disabilities. The findings have been published in an independent review by specialists Cordis Bright into the residential care services provided on the Isle of Man. The review was commissioned by Manx Care after a number of safeguarding concerns were raised in the autumn of 2024. Chief executive Teresa Cope said the report identified "significant areas for improvement" but the organisation was "fully committed to supporting adults with learning disabilities". In the wake of the review the organisation would "work with partners across the system to build a strategy for the future", she said. The report found that in some cases people cared for in residential homes faced restrictive measures such as lack of access to the kitchen because other residents risked hurting themselves if if allowed to use the facilities, for example by drinking from a kettle. In a limited number of cases residents who could not safely spend time together were sometimes restricted to their own rooms to avoid contact, the review said. It also found restrictive practices put in place for extended periods of time to maintain the safety of residents were were often in response to staffing shortages. Another key challenge identified was that people were placed into one of the 17 residential homes based on availability rather than suitability. This, the review said, meant that there were people who were living together whose support needs were "very different". That could lead to those with high needs contending with people who are more able than them, and those with lower needs may be placed under "undue restrictions", the review continued. Several homes had also been "poorly maintained or had become shabby", with some having issues such as persistent damp or leaks, or needing repairs, the review said. In some cases, "inappropriate workarounds" became the norm, the review said, with one home still without wi-fi. Recommendations from the report included ensuring greater variety of options for support, and reducing the current "over reliance on residential care", better engagement with family members, and a property strategy to improve accommodation options. Another key recommendation was the creation of a workforce strategy to address issues of low morale, ensure appropriate training and meet the need for a greater variety of care, the review added. 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. Views gathered on adult learning disability care Bid to modernise adult respite care provision Adult day care users to have single provider Manx Care
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Isle of Man learning disability care reform needed, review finds
The normalisation of restrictive practices and and mismatch of accommodation were among issues identified in a review of care for adults with learning findings have been published in an independent review by specialists Cordis Bright into the residential care services provided on the Isle of review was commissioned by Manx Care after a number of safeguarding concerns were raised in the autumn of executive Teresa Cope said the report identified "significant areas for improvement" but the organisation was "fully committed to supporting adults with learning disabilities". In the wake of the review the organisation would "work with partners across the system to build a strategy for the future", she report found that in some cases people cared for in residential homes faced restrictive measures such as lack of access to the kitchen because other residents risked hurting themselves if if allowed to use the facilities, for example by drinking from a kettle. 'Inappropriate workarounds' In a limited number of cases residents who could not safely spend time together were sometimes restricted to their own rooms to avoid contact, the review said. It also found restrictive practices put in place for extended periods of time to maintain the safety of residents were were often in response to staffing key challenge identified was that people were placed into one of the 17 residential homes based on availability rather than suitability. This, the review said, meant that there were people who were living together whose support needs were "very different".That could lead to those with high needs contending with people who are more able than them, and those with lower needs may be placed under "undue restrictions", the review homes had also been "poorly maintained or had become shabby", with some having issues such as persistent damp or leaks, or needing repairs, the review some cases, "inappropriate workarounds" became the norm, the review said, with one home still without from the report included ensuring greater variety of options for support, and reducing the current "over reliance on residential care", better engagement with family members, and a property strategy to improve accommodation options. Another key recommendation was the creation of a workforce strategy to address issues of low morale, ensure appropriate training and meet the need for a greater variety of care, the review added. 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.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Scheme offers 'friendly face' to young people during TT festival
A safeguarding scheme is set to provide a "friendly face" to vulnerable young people who need support during the TT period, the coordinator of the project has by St Christopher's, which supports those in care, the Streetwise initiative was expanded in 2024 to include everyone under the age of at a base near the Douglas Promenade war memorial until 8 June, its members will be on hand to help young people who finds themselves in a vulnerable Taylor said staff had previously helped teenagers with issues ranging from lost bus fares and stolen belongings to safeguarding concerns. He said with up to 50,000 visitors to the island across the festival fortnight helping to create a "tremendous atmosphere" there was "a lot of temptations for young people".The service has been backed again this year by Manx Care, the police and the Douglas City Council. Mr Taylor, who is also head of children's residential services at St Christopher's, said the risks facing young people during the TT could be "challenging" but the service offered a "safe place". "Our key message is, 'if something happens to you, there's people available who can support you'," he of Douglas Steven Crellin said Streetwise was a "brilliant community initiative that's there for our young people when they need it most". "It's had a clear and positive impact on children and families across Douglas and it's great to see so many local organisations working together to make it happen," he charity's representatives, which will also patrol the area in hi-visibility tabards, would be available between 18:00 and 02:00 BST each day. 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.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Isle of Man TT: Extra staffing to support hospitals
Additional staffing has been drafted in to support hospitals during this year's Isle of Man TT races amid a predicted rise in demand for health care services. The annual two-week event, which started on Monday but was disrupted by rain, attracted more that 45,000 visitors last year. Manx Care, said additional cover would support the emergency department and orthopaedics team at Noble's Hospital, as well as the island's ambulance support at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital has also been secured to cope with the predicted rise in demand. Executive director of health care services Oliver Radford said the organisation aimed to provide "the highest quality care" during the period, while trying to maintain "business as usual".Additional blood products had been ordered to allow for any emergency blood transfusions required during the fortnight, he said. Minor injuries The ambulance service would also have access to additional emergency response vehicles, such as critical care cars, rapid response cars and the A99 helicopter, which the body said would allow them to reach non-racing incidents in "hard-to-reach locations".The health body has urged those with a minor injury or illness to use the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Ramsey Cottage Hospital to reduce pressure at the Emergency Department at the island's main health care provider said where possible services were being maintained across Noble's Hospital, but orthopaedics would be "significantly affected" as a result of the who are attending scheduled hospital appointments have been advised to "leave plenty of time for your journey". Manx Care said the Ramsey MIU would be fully staffed across the fortnight, with X-ray provision from 09:00 to 17:00 BST on week days, as well as from 10:00 to 16:00 at to the island have been reminded to make sure they have adequate health insurance in place to cover the duration of their trip and to bring prescription medications and any other medical items they may use daily with them to the Isle of Man TT race are set to run until 7 June. 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.
