THE formation of a Manx Patients Association is being promoted by the Liberal Vannin Party with the intention of being launched early in the new year.
The Association is intended to be a “two way street” for the passing of information enabling government to be alerted to areas which are causing concern that they may be unaware of and it can assist government in getting its message out to people.
LVP member Kate Beecroft said today, “People who have concerns about any area of health care, or suggestions where improvements can be made, can have a voice without having to take official action. Many people have good ideas but don’t write to the government about them. The same goes for complaints and concerns.”
She said that the new Association would also be able to assist government in getting its message out. “Many people miss the press releases on health in the media. How much more personal and how much more of an impact it would have, if was delivered to people’s inboxes? Instead of simply overlooking it in the newspaper, a deliberate decision would have to be taken to delete it.”
As an example, she said there had recently been a welcome incentive for the screening of bowel cancer. Figures in the UK show that men are particularly bad at sending the samples for testing. An e-mail reminding members of this initiative, and reinforcing the benefits, would be of real help to government in achieving better rates of uptake than the UK.
For the Association to get off to a flying start, a degree of funding will be needed initially and this has been solved. Kate stated that it never crossed her mind when she stood for election that she would be a departmental member so the 30% increase in salary was something she had not considered or budgeted for. She will be donating the uplift in salary to support the Association until it is self financing.
Mrs Beecroft added, “I am really excited about this. People that I have spoken to about this idea are very interested in becoming members. Exactly how active and what the Association does will very much depend on how many people on the Island do join.
“Some Associations in the UK are very active indeed and have a real voice with their politicians. Some will even take forward a complaint for someone when they are possibly too emotionally upset to do this for themselves. It really all does depend on how many members there are what those members want. It is something that can start in a small way and evolve.
“I would encourage anyone who wants to have a real voice in the health care on the Island to become a member when it is formed.”
Anyone wishing to register an interest now so that they are sure that they receive notification of progress in the New Year can contact Mrs Beecroft and she will make sure that they receive updates. She can be contacted by mail at Troutbeck, Strang Road, Union Mills by phone on 8533521 or email at kate.beecroft@liberalvannin.org
