Covid-19 review: Apologies, whistleblowing and lessons learned

Tynwald debates report recommendations

The Isle of Man must learn key lessons from Covid-19.

That's the message from one MHK who participated in a Tynwald debate this week over government's handling of coronavirus.

Kate Brunner KC's Isle of Man Covid Review Report was presented to gathered Tynwald members by the chief minister yesterday (16 April).

Alfred Cannan also outlined the Council of Ministers’ Early Assessment into Recommendations made by Kate Brunner KC.

After hearing from Mr Cannan, several MHKs were brought to their feet with observations.

They included Rushen MHK, Dr Michelle Haywood, who queried how the Island will prepare for future pandemics:

She was joined by former health minister, Douglas North MHK David Ashford, who stressed lessons learnt from the Island's experience:

That move away from public health policy seen elsewhere was one highlighted by Arbory, Castletown and Malew's Tim Glover, who pointed out the failings of following foreign policy at first:

The report, and the early assessment of it from CoMin was accepted by Tynwald, almost unanimously.

Just one MHK voted against it - Onchan MHK, Julie Edge, who focused on whistleblowing in her remarks:

Elsewhere, there were calls from some for apologies, not only for those affected at Abbotswood, but those described as 'interned' at the Comis, as well as medical professionals:

In his summing up comments at the close of the debate, the chief minister said he was 'absolutely' sorry events caused trauma for people, but fell short of a clean-cut apology:

So, what happens next? 

A full, detailed report, on the implementation of the recommendations will be presented later this year, at the July sitting.

You can listen to this report in full below: