The Department of Health and Social Care is to seek the approval of Tynwald, at its January sitting, for additional funding of up to ?11.1 million for the current financial year.

The Department forecasts it will need the additional funds if it is to maintain the provision of health and social care services for the people of the Isle of Man up to 31 March 2017.

Minister for Health and Social Care, Kate Beecroft MHK, said: “Seeking approval from Tynwald for additional funding from the Treasury is not an action the Department takes lightly.  As Minister I take this matter seriously, especially as it is the second year in a row the Department has sought approval for additional funding.

“My highest priority will be to ensure that the Department lives within the resources voted to it for 2017/18.  The Department must continue its drive to become more efficient; but if the books are to balance it is likely that hard and uncomfortable choices will need to be made.  We are operating in an environment of rising demand for health and social care services in tandem with rising costs in providing these services.”

The Minister will outline to Members of Tynwald the steps the Department has taken to address the financial challenges it faces as well as future plans to seek sustainability.

The additional money represents a 5.5% overspend against the Department’s net budget for 2016/17 of ?198.4 million.  The financial challenge in providing health and social care services on the Island mirrors that in England where NHS providers faced a ?2.45 billion deficit in 2015/16.