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Manx doctors 'working in a culture of fear'

BMA describes Island system as corrupt, and calls for public enquiry

Doctors on the Isle of Man are working in a culture of fear that is among the worst in the British Isles.

That's from the Chair of Council at the British Medical Association, who's been visiting the Island to meet the union's members.

Professor Philip Banfield's visit comes after the Island's former Medical Director Dr Rosalind Ranson was awarded £3.2m for being unfairly dismissed due to whistleblowing.

The payout is a record for a whistleblowing case backed by the medical union, as well as the highest for a whistleblowing tribunal on the Isle of Man.

He says the current system is corrupt, and is calling for a public enquiry:

You can hear Professor Banfield's full conversation with Manx Radio in the latest edition of the Manx Radio Newscast.

Professor Banfield also confirmed he intends to refer the case to the UK Health Secretary and Ministry of Justice, which has responsibility for the Crown Dependencies.

Manx Radio contacted Manx Care, the Department of Health and Social Care and the Isle of Man Government for comment.

In a statement, Manx Care said: "Developing a positive working culture is one of Manx Care’s four key priorities, and something that the organisation has worked incredibly hard to change since its inception just over two years ago. 

"We are very proud of what has been achieved collectively with our colleagues to date in terms of the cultural improvements we have made, yet we recognise how much there is still to do, and that this won’t be achieved quickly. 

"We remain firmly committed to improving the culture of our organisation, ensuring that all of our colleagues feel psychologically safe and supported to raise any concerns that they have."

You can read more about Manx Care's proposals to improve culture in the health board's 2021-22 annual report.

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