Carers are being overlooked by social services, when important decisions are made about those they look after.

That's the view of the Manx Carer's Association, in response to a decision by the DHSS to overhaul its system for transporting people with learning difficulties.

The department says it will not renew its contract with Protours when it expires at the end of January, and will in future provide more tailor-made transport for clients.

Chair of the Manx Carers' Association Ravina Talbot says carers were not consulted and only found out after the decision was made.

She believes the Island needs a Carer's Recognition Act like the one in the United Kingdom (audio file attached):

The Director of Social Services in the Island says the transport shake-up should improve the system.

Andrew Swithinbank says the one size fits all approach no longer fits and it's time to tailor transport to individual needs.

Ravina Talbot was speaking to John Hines on Talking Heads.

(Picture: Ravina Talbot, from iom-managers.org.uk).