Healthcare in the Isle of Man enters a new era today (1st April), with its own dedicated government department. 

The Department will be led by David Anderson MHK, as Minister for Health and David Killip will head the organisation as Chief Executive.

He will in turn be supported by Lesley Keenan (pictured) who will serve as the Department of Health’s Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive.

The appointment of David Anderson MHK as Minister for Health marks a homecoming, as he was the Member for Health in the DHSS between 2001 and 2004. 

Minister Anderson commented on his new position, "I’m delighted to return to health services and continue the good work of my colleague, Eddie Teare MHK, former Minister for Health and Social Security, and I would like to pay tribute to him and his work. 

"I also look forward to working with Mr Dudley Butt, MLC, as the new Member for Health, who takes over from Mr Alan Crowe, MLC. 

"I know Mr Crowe has worked conscientiously over the past few years in health services and I wish to thank him for that. 

"I can assure the public that we won’t be resting on laurels.  There remains much work to be done and I envisage the pace of change and the ongoing delivery of service improvement that we have seen over the past few years will likely pick up. 

"This will be the result of the more focussed approach a dedicated Department of Health can deliver. 

"It’s fundamentally about people, their health and value for their money, and I will be making sure that this is at the heart of everything we do."

David Killip, Chief Executive commented, "It’s clear in my mind that healthcare is generally considered the number one priority for the public when it comes to government services, and the Isle of Man Government’s investment in the provision of a comprehensive, state of the art healthcare system reflects this. 

"Healthcare is an extremely emotive topic, one which the public and politicians alike are passionate about. 

"This is evident beyond our own shores, with the role the NHS will undoubtedly play in the imminent UK election, and Barack Obama’s landmark healthcare bill passed by the US Congress and signed into law last week in the United States.  

"Splitting the DHSS and creating a dedicated Department of Health clearly demonstrates the importance and priority the Isle of Man Government places on delivering a truly world-class health service for all the people of the Isle of Man."

David Killip continued, "I don’t think it could be argued that any other government service is as diverse, complex, expansive or as technologically advanced and demanding as health. 

"The public care deeply about health services and their provision, and this doesn’t come as a surprise; there’s a continuous and growing demand as well as serious challenges we face going forward. 

"We must face these head-on, together, as a community."

David Killip finished by outlining his vision for the new Department of Health, "I’ll be striving to ensure that quality care, service excellence and best value for money are the focus of my Senior Team and every individual in my department. 

"I am excited at the prospect of leading a more focused organisation that can target its efforts solely on health. 

"I think the Department’s motto says it all: Cour slayt yn ashoon, or, For the health of the nation. 

That statement is why we exist, that’s why my team come to work every day; and that will be the focus of everything we strive to deliver for the people of the Isle of Man."