Plea to Manx Care Board to avoid further cuts 6-8-25

Dear Manx Care Board,

The Isle of Man Medical Society (IOMMS) is deeply concerned about the proposed further  reductions to elective surgery sessions, as reported by Manx Radio on 5 August 2025. While we recognise the financial challenges facing Manx Care, we strongly oppose these cuts due to their detrimental impact on patient care. 

Elective operations are vital for improving patients' quality of life, and reducing these sessions will lead to prolonged suffering, increased morbidity, and potential life-threatening complications. Moreover, these reductions will exacerbate existing delays in cancer services, where Manx Care is already struggling to meet key targets, such as the 62-day referral-totreatment standard (44% compliance in December 2024) and the 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard (64% compliance).

The growing backlog of elective surgeries will further strain our healthcare system and demoralise our dedicated medical staff, making it harder for surgeons to maintain their skills and provide safe, effective care. We are particularly troubled by the lack of consultation with clinical stakeholders, including the IOMMS, in making these decisions. This approach undermines transparency and collaboration.

Instead of cutting elective surgery sessions, we urge Manx Care to explore alternative costsaving measures that do not compromise patient care. These could include retaining and recruiting permanent staff, investing in preventive measures, streamlining administrative processes, and seeking additional funding sources, such as reinstating the private patients’ 

unit.

The IOMMS has previously proposed comprehensive solutions to address Manx Care's financial challenges without sacrificing patient health, as detailed on our website: https://www.iomms.org/recovery-reform-proposals-for-manx-caredhsc 

We call on the Manx Care Board to reconsider these proposed reductions and engage with us in constructive dialogue to find sustainable solutions that prioritise patient well-being.

We appreciate your urgent attention to this matter and are available for further discussions at your earliest convenience.

Isle of Man Medical Society Executive Committee

06/08/2025