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Manx Care working to develop 'anticipatory care plans'

Credit: Isle of Man Newspapers

Follows concerns about emergency situations with carers

Manx Care says it's working on a new strategy which will support individuals – and their carers – to develop anticipatory care plans in emergency situations.

It's also confirmed it's developing a Home First plan which will identify gaps in community services which need to be addressed.

The health body has come under fire this week after a local man who is the primary carer for his disabled wife revealed she would also have had to be admitted to hospital if he required treatment.

John McLaughlan told the Manx Independent he was told by medical staff they'd need to find his wife a bed as there was no-one to care for her.

The topic was raised on yesterday's Mannin Line by Charlie who said he'd experienced this issue before – and had raised it with the former health minister David Ashford:

Manx Care says it's unable to discuss individual patients' cases – or respond to requests about their specific circumstances.

It also declined Manx Radio's request for an interview with a spokesperson.

However in a statement it says in line with recommendations made in Sir Jonathan Michael's independent review it's looking to develop community-based facilities that support people to be able to remain in their own homes.

It added: "Our ‘Home First’ strategy is seeking to understand why people are not able to remain in their homes as well as what prevents them returning there after a period of hospitalisation or illness.

"That strategy also looks to identify any gaps in community services that need to be addressed.

"We're also committed to developing a Carers Strategy that will support individuals and their carers to develop anticipatory care plans, which will ensure that plans are in place for emergency situations as well as ongoing support.

"This work is being done in collaboration with our teams of health and social care professionals, but also our communities and the third sector, and we will use feedback such as this to ensure services being provided are the most appropriate for members of our community."

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