Minister for Health and Social Care Kate Beecroft MHK has moved to allay concerns residents in the north of the Island may have regarding the standard of GP services and the introduction of a consultant-led intermediate care service at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital.

This has come following comments published in the local media last week attributed to Ramsey MHK Alex Allinson.

Mrs Beecroft said: ‘Dr Allinson’s comments cast doubt on the ability of Ramsey Group Practice to provide a first-rate service in the future, and I would like to assure people standards will remain as high as ever.

‘GPs are commissioned by the Department and as such they must maintain an appropriate level of service and standards of care.  Our GPs do fantastic work and our new step-up, step-down approach to care will support GPs, with the service available to all group practices on the Island to make referrals to, which is a positive development.

‘I want the people of Ramsey and the north to understand that the changes introduced at RDCH have been made with careful consideration for the good of the Island as a whole, making better use of the hospital as an important national facility for all of the people of the Isle of Man.

‘The facility will be given a new lease of life with beds being brought back into operation as a key component of the new integrated care strategy, and it is set to play an important role in the health of the Island for a long time to come.

‘My colleagues have worked hard on the planned consultant-led service and necessary pathways, which will not only lead to improved care for those in need of a step-up, step-down service, but will ensure that acute beds at Noble’s Hospital are utilised for those patients with acute healthcare needs.

‘The model is tried and tested in many regions and we are fortunate to have staff with the experience to make it a success.’