BBC
Mr. Alfred Cannan assumed leadership of the Department of Health.
The Isle of Man’s former health minister resigned from his post “too prematurely” in a row over funding for future services, the Prime Minister has said.
Rory Hooper has resigned amid controversy over Manx Care’s recently announced £5m cut plan to reduce its expected £16.8m overspending in 2024-2025.
The former minister claimed that making such rapid changes would result in “substantial damaging cuts to health services” that included “risks of harm to patients”.
However, Alfred Cannan insisted there needed to be “clarity” about the service delivery and efficiency expected from Manx Care, followed by discussions about funding.
Former health minister David Ashford and former MHK infrastructure minister Chris Thomas have been appointed as political commissioners at the Department of Health and Social Care, following the resignations of Mr Hooper and former political MP Johnny Farragher on Tuesday.
However, Mr Cannan said he would not be selected based on the appointment schedule of his successor minister.
He said he had already had “very useful” discussions with ManxCare’s management and “we can reset this for the next few years”.
“Everyone will be concerned about budget cuts, but the important point is that in a country with clear budgets, clear fiscal plans, and so many competing funding needs, we continue to overspend health care. “It means we can’t maintain service,” he said. .
“It is completely irresponsible to claim that the system is underfunded and not take responsibility for proper annual planning.”
He said he felt Hooper was “too quick. But we need to pick up the pieces now and move forward.”
Former health minister Rory Hooper resigns over ‘dangerous’ service cuts
But Mr Hooper disputed the idea that he could have done more if he had remained in post longer.
“It was clear that I wasn’t going to be heard,” he said, adding that the prime minister “was going to try to force these things through and essentially put the blame on me.” . ”.
Mr Hooper said that what he believed would be needed to fully balance ManxCare’s £16.8m overspending had been presented to the cabinet board, and included a “substantial” negative impact on patients. .
“It would mean the closure of wards, it would mean the closure of facilities like the Manx Emergency Doctor Service, it would mean the closure of actual services,” he said.
He added that such measures, with a view to long-term financing, would push the government towards “privatizing” health services.
