
Calls for public review amid concerns for impact on NHS provision
The Isle of Man Medical Society has issued a position statement concerning plans for a private healthcare facility on the Island.
An application has been submitted to transform a former office site in the Summerhill Business Park, off Victoria Road in Douglas.
If permission is granted for a change of use, Howard Pearson House - which is currently unoccupied - will become a hospital which would include 13 consultation rooms, 15 day beds, five reception areas and a number of specialist areas.
The applicant, Kingsley Land And Property Ltd, says these would include a radiology suite, X-ray theatre, surgical areas, and laboratories.
Around 30-40 staff would be employed of various professions alongside additional cleaning staff.
Regarding the change of use, the application states that, like Millennium House alongside, the building does not appear to be in demand for its approved use as offices.
The Medical Society's view
In a statement, the IOM Medical Society raises a number of concerns but says it 'recognises the importance of developing a coherent and sustainable framework for private healthcare provision on the Island'.
It has set out what is calls 'key considerations' to ensure any development aligns with 'public service needs, economic sustainability, and ethical governance'.
It says: 'It is clearly in the public interest to establish a workable framework for private medical practice on the Isle of Man. Such a framework would help alleviate pressure on public services at a time when NHS resources are demonstrably strained and existing funding models are under review'.
Amongst the society's concerns, it says standalone private healthcare facilities, operating independently of local public services, risk 'cherry-picking high-revenue, low-complexity cases'.
This, it says, may 'inadvertently increase per capita healthcare costs by leaving a disproportionate number of complex cases to an under-resourced and understaffed public sector'.
It's also raised alarms about someone who it says is 'an individual who recently held a senior administrative role within Manx Care—during a period marked by declining public medical services and inadequate staffing levels in key specialities'.
It alleges that this person 'may now be available to act as a key figure in the proposed private facility' - a claim Manx Radio has put to Manx Care for clarification.
Calls for public review
Ultimately, the Isle of Man Medical Society has urged Tynwald to ensure that any development such as this, is 'ethically grounded, economically sound, and strategically aligned with the long-term interests of the Island’s healthcare system and its people'.
It's called for a public review into the future of private healthcare on the Island which should assess both clinical need and commercial intent, with input from public and private stakeholders.
The role of the existing private facility at Noble's Hospital should be central to this review, it says, as it offers a 'viable means of returning locally generated revenues to Manx Care and the Treasury'.
Manx Care
In response, Manx Care says: '[The health body] is aware of the proposed Kingsley Land and Properties development at Howard Pearson House.'
'While we have limited details about the venture at this stage, we welcome any initiative that enhances choice and availability of private healthcare provision in the island.'
'Manx Care already offers a broad range of private services and we remain committed to expanding these offerings, including the upcoming opening of our Private Patient Unit at Noble’s Hospital.'
Manx Radio has contacted the Isle of Man Government for comment.