'Return to Health' document will outline services resumption

"We understand people are anxious to have their appointments back"

The health and social care minister says a 'Return to Health' document will be published tomorrow, which will set out how his department will restart certain services across the Island.

David Ashford was speaking at today's government media briefing.

It won't cover all areas of DHSC, but the minister said it's an important step in getting health services back up and running for the Manx people:

The document will set out a programme of fortnightly changes.

The first block, for the next two weeks, will include:

• core services: reintroduction of endoscopy, general surgery, urology, and certain cancer care and delivery services
• mental health: the department will increase the number of in-person appointments and therapies, for those who'd benefit most from face-to-face contact
• primary care: telephone triage for GP services to be maintained
• working towards reintroduction of cervical screening and diabetic foot checks
• dentistry services will not be allowed to resume 'as normal' for now, because aerosol-generating procedures, which form a large part of dentistry, still present a major risk. The department is working towards things like temporary fillings and re-cementing of crowns being available, though
• working on reintroducing admissions 'for specific groups' to children's ward, pediatric outpatient clinics and expanding upon the community offering

Meanwhile, there have been no new Covid-19 cases in the Isle of Man since Wednesday.

The current total of confirmed cases stands at 336, with nine active cases - seven in the community and two in hospital.

Mr Ashford says today marks a 'minor milestone' as the Island starts its journey on the road to normality.

You can here a full interview with minister and Ewan Gawne in the audio file below:

You can watch the briefing in full below: