Tynwald approves additional £20.8m for health service

The Manx public need more information about what Manx Care has achieved over the last five years.

That’s the view of the health and social care minister who has successfully sought Tynwald approval for an additional £20.8 million of taxpayers’ money.

It will address ‘underlying structural deficit issues and cost pressures’ in the health and social care system.

Nineteen million is revenue funding and £1.8 million is capital funding to complete phase one of the Endoscopy Modernisation Programme.

The Department of Health and Social Care says the single largest pressure was staff costs.

This, coupled with Manx Care’s need to maintain safe levels in emergency care, acute hospital services, mental health and community settings, cost £12.2 million.

Other factors, leading to the overspend, included:

- higher than anticipated spending on complex care for patients with serious long-term conditions

- increased mental health placements

- rising costs for specialist treatment provided by UK providers

- medical motorsport provision

- services such as prison healthcare and the air ambulance

The capital funding for the endoscopy programme is designed to secure and reinforce on-Island cancer diagnostic and emergency endoscopy services.

This, it’s said, will help avoid higher long-term costs and clinical risk in sending patients off-Island.

Minister Christian spoke to Phil Gawne following the supplementary vote:

Despite the overspend Manx Care delivered £9.9 million in efficiency savings during 2025-26 - meeting and exceeding its mandated two percent target. 

The Department of Health and Social Care says longer term actions to reduce the risk of future overspends will continue to be implemented.

You can find out more HERE.

Tynwald voted as follows: 19 for and 4 against in the House of Keys and 6 for and 0 against in the Legislative Council.