The NHS writer, broadcaster, commentator and widely acclaimed conference speaker, Roy Lilley, recently gave a presentation to Department of Health clinical staff and senior managers on the impending changes in the English NHS and the possible implications for the Isle of Man’s Department of Health. Drawing on comparisons from various sources, Mr Lilley demonstrated how potentially the English NHS legislation is going to change and how this could affect IOM referral patterns and costs if the proposed changes are finally accepted by the UK Government. He also showed the generally high levels of satisfaction the English public has with health care prompting the question as to why wide ranging changes were really necessary. Mr Lilley concluded his talk by showing the increasingly important role of telecare in meeting increasing demands for long term health and social care conditions by supporting patients at home. After a lively question and answer session, Mr Lilley met privately with David Killip, CEO, Department of Health, Lesley Keenan, Chief Operating Officer and Paul Harper Director of Management Information & Technology (MI&T). David Killip, Chief Executive, Department of Health said: “It was an absolute pleasure to have such an influential speaker visit the island and to talk to our staff about the effect of the NHS restructure could have on our Department. It was very reassuring that Roy took particular interest in our small community, I would just like to thank Roy and Paul Harper who arranged the lecture.” Mr Lilley last came to the Island two years ago to meet with then DHSS staff to talk about the role of technology in health showing how healthcare can capitalise on increasingly using technology to support care in acute health settings. Paul Harper, Director of MI&T added: “it was a real delight to work with Roy, he is extremely pleasant and it is an overwhelming feeling when someone who is such an inspiration takes the time to talk to staff from our Department. I would like to also thank Roy and I look forward to working with him in the future.” - ENDS -