The eighth and final review from the West Midlands Quality Review Service has been published.

Health and Social Care Minister David Ashford MHK has responded to the mixed review, which praises staff working in the island’s health service, while criticising organisation.

Mr Ashford said: ’It was important that all areas of our health service were opened up for rigorous professional scrutiny. This latest report brings the current round to an end, so we now have a full picture.

’The review process is vital to ensure we develop safe, high quality services to benefit the population, and we have learned a great deal.

’Essentially, the reviews have told us where we do well and where we need to make improvements, and are proving an invaluable tool to drive positive change in our health service.’

He says the department strives to offer quality at least equal to that of care in UK and that the department will continue to improve services, both those outlined in this and in other reviews.

He concluded: ’There have been many very pleasing comments from the West Midlands team, who have paid tribute to the dedication and professionalism of our staff in each report.

’I echo that praise and thank staff for their tremendous commitment and effort every day.’

An overview of the eight reviews carried out by the WMQRS, outlining progress made, will be presented to Tynwald later this year.

However, it is not the only review into the island’s health care.

Sir Jonathan Michael is also continuing to explore options for the future direction of the Manx NHS.

He will submit an interim report to Tynwald in January 2019, with the final report presented for discussion due for the May 2019 sitting.