The Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK, yesterday announced plans for an independent external inspection of the Island’s Health Service, beginning with critical care at Noble’s Hospital.  The Department has reached an agreement with the West Midlands Quality Review Service (WMQRS) to undertake the work.  Initial plans are for preparatory work to commence in September this year, with the inspection commencing in November.  The Department is hopeful of finalising contractual and financial arrangements this month.
 
The Minister said: “I am delighted to have been able to announce yesterday in Tynwald, our plans for an independent external review of the Island’s Health Service.  Securing this inspection has been high on the Department’s agenda for some time, and given the complexities created by the Island’s healthcare system operating outside of the inspection systems established for the NHS in the UK, we have had to undertake work to identify a suitable and willing candidate for this important task.  I am however confident that we have found in the WMQRS a reputable and respected body which will carry out a rigorous assessment and inspection of all of the Island’s health services – starting with Noble’s Hospital.”
 
The WMQRS, which is based at Sandwell Hospital in West Bromwich, is part of the English NHS and was established in 2009 as a collaborative venture by NHS organisations in the West Midlands to improve the quality of health services by undertaking reviews of clinical services.  The WMQRS undertook 202 reviews in 2012/13 and 236 in 2011/12. 
 
The aims of the review are:
 
1.    To provide an assessment to the Manx public, politicians and the Isle of Man Health Service itself of the quality of care provided to Manx patients.
2.    To identify areas where services are in need of improvement, with special reference to any areas in which there is an unacceptable risk to patient and/or staff safety.
3.    To comment upon the sustainability, or otherwise, of services currently provided in the Isle of Man.
 
Member for Health Services, Dudley Butt MLC, said: “This is a positive step forward in ensuring quality of health care available to the people of the Isle of Man.  The WMQRS is a well respected body with a strong track record, and I have every confidence that they will undertake a thorough root and branch review of our services.  In selecting the WMQRS, the inspection will see senior clinicians who work in NHS hospitals heavily involved in the review, which the Department welcomes.  The inspection will commence with critical care at Noble’s Hospital; addressing concerns raised in the letter signed by 10 consultants which was recently made public and which the Department is already addressing.  This inspection, which is in addition to the work streams established to investigate and address the concerns raised by the consultants – which reports back to the Minister next week – will ensure that services are appropriately and independently audited and, as well as showing where there is room for improvement, I am sure it will also demonstrate the many strengths of the Island’s Health Service.”
 
The cost per financial year of the inspection is estimated at approximately ?98,000, with the inspection likely to be spread over two financial years given the breadth and depth of the work involved.  The Department plans to source the funds from within its existing resources.
 
The Department will publish the WMQRS review and those that follow.