Health Minister Howard Quayle says he will not 'shy away' from the findings of the second of 13 independent reports on the Isle of Man's health services.

The West Midlands Quality Review Service (WMQRS) this time focused on acute medical admissions and the care of people with long-term conditions. It found that nursing staff did not have the range of competences expected for work on an acute medical unit and, although a training plan was in place, most of the mandatory training was out of date.

The reviewers said nurse staffing was insufficient for the number and potential dependency of patients.

The WMQRS said a self-assessment for the care of people with long-term conditions was not completed and not enough data was available to enable it to assess the quality of care.

The report said: 'Primary care and hospital-based services did not appear to be using the same guidelines for the care of people with long-term conditions. Reviewers were told by some hospital managers that integrated pathways of care were in place but these were not mentioned by GPs and clinical staff in the hospital.'

Mr Quayle said: 'As with the first report I have requested that a robust and comprehensive action plan be developed as a matter of urgency. This will be published and progress will be monitored to ensure that we do not lose momentum.

'I appreciate that some members of our community may be concerned by some of the report’s findings. It is important to remember that these reviews have been proactively initiated by the Department as part of a constructive and professional process of continual improvement for the Island’s health services. We will not shy away from the findings and I want no stone left unturned. Only then can we be sure that we have the best possible health service, ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.'


Got a story? Contact Joanne on 340000 or email newsdesk@manx.net
twitter @jonewsiom