An order transferring the Island’s Mental Health Service (MHS) from the Department of Social Care to the Department of Health is to be moved at the July sitting of Tynwald by the Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK.
 
The proposal, which has been agreed by the Council of Ministers, follows a review of the organisational location of MHS, which provides a wide range of health and care services in both clinical and community-based settings for patients and service users across the Island.
 
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK said: “Mental Health has been with the Department of Social Care since the restructuring of Government which saw the split of the former Department of Health and Social Security in April 2010.  Given that in many respects, mental health cannot be separated from physical health; there has been a continuing discussion amongst interested parties about whether Mental Health would be better placed to serve its customers if it were part of the Department of Health; and the Council of Ministers has concluded that it would.
 
“In terms of any impact on the public, if the Order is approved by Tynwald, services will continue as they do at present.  Any changes will be of a longer term strategic nature to ensure that both our physical health and mental health teams can continue to strengthen their working relationships to provide a joined-up, collaborative, integrated and comprehensive health care service for the people of the Isle of Man.”