Health Minister Kate Beecroft has insisted changes at Ramsey Cottage Hospital will have positive effects.

The MHK has been under fire for the decision to centralise the provision of endoscopy services at Noble’s Hospital, closing the service provided at Ramsey.

Mrs Beecroft has since argued that centralisation will reduce waiting lists, because health chiefs will be able to put on more endoscopy clinics.

Tim Baker (Ayre and Michael) challenged Mrs Beecroft in to outline the future plans for the hospital.

She revealed: ’It is likely that we will augment some services at Ramsey in the future, as we review whether to bring together some services which are currently split between different sites. This is a positive move for the cottage hospital.’

In a written response to Mr Baker’s House of Keys question, Mrs Beecroft repeated her assurance there were no plans to close down the ’important asset’ and the operating theatre would remain open. But she said parts of the hospital were under-utilised.

’This is partly of our own making as Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital has been managed over the years as part of community health, when clearly some of what is provided there are hospital services,’ she said.

’We have now updated our management structures to deal with this. In view of the department’s difficult financial circumstances we must use all of our assets effectively.’

Mrs Beecroft listed the services currently provided at Ramsey Cottage Hospital, including: a blood sampling clinic; dentistry; dietetics; kidney dialysis; the minor injury unit; minor operations (including dermatology) and minor oral surgery; physiotherapy; some outpatient clinics; social work; wound management and podiatry; and x-ray.

In-patient care is provided on the Martin Ward.

’The larger hospital site also has teams from adult services, community health services and mental health services, providing care for people on-site and in the local communities,’ she said.

’This does not mean, however, that there will never be changes to the services provided there. Parts of the hospital can be underutilised.’

She added: ’The public can be assured that the future of Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital is secure.

’My department is facing significant challenges, not least to meet growing demands and improve the quality and cost-efficiency of services; and we have a Tynwald-approved five-year strategy aimed at meeting those challenges.

’More care in the community, closer to people’s homes, is one of the five key goals of that strategy, and Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital will play its part in delivering that objective.’