Over 3,000 operations have been delivered in second phase of Manx Care programme
It's hoped the reduction in waiting lists across three specialties will be 'sustainable' going forward.
Over 3,000 operations have been delivered as part of the second phase of Manx Care's Restoration and Recovery Programme.
The £18.3m initiative has cut hospital waiting lists for orthopaedic, cataract and general surgery procedures.
The additional funding was approved in Tynwald's October 2022 sitting for the health service to work with UK provider Synaptik to carry out various procedures.
In March, the nurse liaison lead for Manx Care and Synaptik described the partnership as having created ‘amazing’ outcomes for patients on the Isle of Man.
Government now says between assessment and operation, the average wait time for ophthalmology has been reduced by 33 weeks, for orthopaedics by 16 weeks and general surgery by 28 weeks.
Health Minister Lawrie Hooper says the outcome evidences the effect of 'well-planned' expenditure, rather than just extra money, and there are hopes the outcomes can be maintained:
Manx Care is now hoping to secure funding for a third phase to tackle its outpatient waiting list, with 10,800 people currently awaiting a first appointment, and more than 30,000 waiting for follow-ups.
The final report on phase two, providing a detailed update on the programme, will be laid before the June sitting of Tynwald.
It gives an overview of the amount spent, number of operations delivered and current waiting times as part of the programme.
You can read it in full HERE.
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