MORE than 600 responses have been received by the Isle of Man government on its questionnaire about the Department of Health’s End of Life Care.

However, despite the very high levels of response, the government is still keen to receive more comments, with just three weeks left to run.

The questionnaire ‘Getting Your Views’ was published on on June 26, and the response from the Isle of Man public has been described as “excellent”.

Project facilitator, Kirstie Turner, has now called on more of the public to give their views on this important subject.

She said, “This exceptional response rate demonstrates that people have appreciated and understood the importance of discussing death and thinking ahead. In addition, a number of people have contacted the department to discuss the issues raised in the questionnaire.

“I cannot thank enough all those people who have responded so far – what they have told us is proving immensely valuable and that has made it more important than ever that we achieve as high a response rate as we can. I therefore urge everyone who can to take part by completing a questionnaire.”

The questionnaire results will be analysed over the coming months, and will feed in to the development of the Island’s first ever End of Life Care Strategy. The public still has three weeks to complete a questionnaire and express their views, with the closing date falling on Monday August 15.

Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK said, “This remains an excellent opportunity for the people of the Isle of Man to help the Department of Health create an End of Life Care Strategy.

“The strategy will, of course, draw on best practice, but the public’s views really will be fundamental to its development. This will be a strategy for the Isle of Man developed by the people of the Isle of Man, so I would encourage everyone to take a few minutes and complete a questionnaire.” 

The questionnaires are available from GP surgeries, the Sea Terminal, public libraries, Commissioners’ offices and pharmacies. The survey can also be completed online at www.eol.im