160 'new' full time equivalent health posts established in last three years

The health minister says the number of full-time equivalent posts in Manx Care has increased by nine per cent since in the three years since it was established.

Lawrie Hooper's released the figures as part of a response to a written Tynwald question from Douglas North MHK David Ashford, saying they represent 'the budgeted establishment and are expressed in terms of Full Time Equivalent staffing, not actual staff numbers'.

Mr Ashford had asked what job roles by title made up the increases in Full Time Equivalent staffing a) from 31st March 2020 to 31st March 2021 in his Department; b) from 31st March 2021 in his Department to 31st March 2022 in Manx Care; and c) from 31st March 2022 to 31st March 2023 in Manx Care; and in each case whether the increase resulted from the filling of a vacancy or the creation of a new role.

In his answer, Mr Hooper revealed when Manx Care was established in April 2021, there were a total of 3,017.4 full-time equivalents included in its budget, but by 1 April 2024, this number had risen to 3,302.9 - an increase of 285.5.

Of that number, only 160 were 'new' posts, supported by business cases and requiring additional funding - the rest were transferred between departments, moved internally or moved from a contract basis to internal provision.

These 160 posts largely fall into one of three categories: 

• 77.2 are to 'help invest in safe staffing levels to meet demand or compliance requirements' 
• 68.8 are to 'create additional services or core functions in response to either compliance or mandate requirements'
• 14 are for 'investing in support functions to enhance corporate governance and delivery of frontline services'

Mr Hooper says 'it’s important to note that these are budgeted posts, and so not all will be filled with substantive staff members at this time. Some will be vacant, and others may be covered by Agency or locum staff.'

Of the other jobs which are not categorised as 'new'; 19.7 'Inter Department Transfers' relate to the movement of posts (and associated budget) from other Government Departments such as Keyll Daree, Live Systems and Comms. 

The 32.4 'Contract to Internal Provision' roles are where previously externally contracted services have been brought in-house for direct provision and include Ballasalla GP Practice, Hillside Dental Practice and the MEDS Service, with associated contract spend budgets converted to pay budget. 

And the 72.3 full time equivalent 'Internal Movements' are as a result of internal restructures, grade changes and conversion of agency and relief budgets to substantive roles.

He adds that the impact of all of those changes will have been largely cost neutral.

You can find the written answer in full HERE.