Manx Care's 'Home First approach' sees high demand

Healthcare body publishes its annual report

Manx Care says its latest annual report shows how its 'Home First approach' is continuing to develop across the Island.

The strategy aims to support people 'to remain independent within their own homes'.

The annual report, covering the period between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026 reveals demand for the service remained high throughout the year with weekly activity averaging 1,719 visits.

Intermediate Care also received 1,212 accepted referrals, 60 percent more than in the previous year.

The service also reported outcomes above the stated English benchmark for improvement in patients’ independence. 

When the body published its Operating Plan for 2026/27 earlier this year, it said the Home First approach remains central to its work.

Meanwhile, the healthcare body also says access and productivity improved in several areas. 

GP practices delivered 406,327 appointments, consultant-led outpatient activity increased, and the number waiting for a first consultant-led appointment reduced slightly after several years of growth to 17,537. 

Day-case procedures increased by 4 percent, while theatre-session cancellations fell by 26 percent. 

Workforce indicators also improved, with sickness absence reducing from 6.3 percent to 5.7 percent and the rolling vacancy rate falling from 18.1 percent to 14.5 percent.

However, the average wait for a first consultant-led appointment has risen to 56 weeks; there's been an 18 percent increase in patients spending more than 12 hours in the Emergency Department and the body has a £14.9 million operational deficit.

The health and social care body says it 'recognises that these issues must be tackled'.

The report has been shared with the Department of Health and Social Care which will now assess Manx Care’s performance over the financial year and issue a letter of assessment.

Both documents will be laid at the December sitting of Tynwald.

You can read the report in full HERE.