THE Department of Health will spend more than eight million pounds purchasing care from the United Kingdom this year.

This accounts for 8,400 "episodes of care" and does not include travel costs for patients and accompanying escorts.

The figures were revealed in the House of Keys this morning after questions posed by the Douglas north MHK John Houghton.

He asked the Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK, how many patients, receiving long term care for complicated or chronic disease, had been stopped from attending specialist clinics in Liverpool and why.

It was revealed that over the last 12 months the Department of Health has advised five patients who were receiving treatment in Liverpool that their conditions could now be managed in the Isle of Man.

The Health Minister said there were still "a number of patients currently under review" who would be identified in the coming months.

He explained: "As with all treatment and care that we offer we must constantly review our services to ensure that our resources are being used as effectively as possible for the benefit of the clinical care of patients.

"This is particularly important in relation to our UK referrals because of Tynwald and the government’s consistent and continued support for the development of on-Island services over recent years.

"The skills and services available at Noble’s Hospital have expanded and it is likely that many patients who currently travel to the UK could now have their treatment managed on the Island.

"This would avoid considerable unnecessary expense to the health service – both for the medical treatment and for patient travel and accommodation – as well as the inconvenience for patients of having to travel off-Island."  

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