Healthcare partnership has been 'full of stand-out moments'

Manx Care and Synaptik carry out more than 3,000 procedures in two years

Bringing over a private medical firm to help reduce waiting lists has created ‘amazing’ outcomes for patients on the Isle of Man.

That’s the view of the nurse liaison lead for Manx Care and Synaptik.

Two years ago the healthcare provider arranged for the Scottish based company to tackle a backlog of cataract, hip and hernia operations at a cost of more than £18 million.

The team has since carried out more than 3,000 procedures.

Statistics, released by Manx Care, show that the partnership has resulted in a 77 percent reduction of the day case waiting list for ophthalmology procedures, with 2,150 completed.

The waiting list for orthopaedic inpatient and day case procedures has dropped 43 percent with 955 completed (690 inpatient and 265 day cases).

There have been 501 general surgery inpatient and day cases completed to date, with a further 19 planned this month - this equates to a 61 percent reduction in the waiting lists.

In other areas statistics show:

• 1,367 radiology scans to date with a further 90 (ultrasound) planned for March (217 Cardiac CT and 1,150 Ultrasound)
• 313 referrals for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services to date with a further 7 expected in March
• 54 surgical procedures for other general surgical specialties
• 458 endoscopic procedures
• 1,224 outpatient appointments

So how has that partnership been for both teams and what has it meant for Manx patients?

Siobhán Fletcher caught up with Tracy Kelly - the senior nurse liaison lead for Manx Care and Synaptik - and Lisa Wood the clinical lead for Synaptik: