The island’s health and social care system is facing ’gridlock’, according to politician Kate Beecroft.

The Health and Social Care Minister was speaking as her department warned about big demographic changes.

Projections show that the number of people aged over 65 in the Isle of Man will increase by around 10,000 by 2036.

It is estimated that over this same period the island will require more than 400 additional care beds for older people.

Despite these changes in the island’s communities, the care home sector has remained largely static, meaning that demand is starting to outstrip supply.

Nursing homes in the Isle of Man are operated privately, and residents of them are responsible for funding their own care although financial support is available through social security for those who qualify.

Mrs Beecroft said: ’It is vital that people receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time - especially our vulnerable older people.

’We are increasingly experiencing gridlock in parts of our health and social care system due to a lack of capacity in the island’s nursing homes.’

She added: ’This means that patients in Noble’s Hospital awaiting discharge and people at home who have been assessed as needing residential or nursing care may be unable to move and so may not get the best care for their needs.’

A new government-owned 68 room care home with nursing on Salisbury Street in Douglas opened last month and welcomed its first residents.

The purpose-built facility was bought by the Department of Health and Social Care with the aim of addressing the growing demand for care services for older people in the island.

Mrs Beecroft said: ’The purchase of the Salisbury Street facility was a bold move by government to increase capacity. However, we know that the demand for care home beds will continue to grow, and opening this facility is only the first step in addressing a far bigger challenge.’

While the DHSC owns the Salisbury Street care home, it is being operated by Adorn Domiciliary Care Ltd, which was awarded the contract following an open and competitive tender process.

The contract stipulates that 40 rooms will be available for older people whose nursing care can only be funded through benefits, the aim being to reduce the number of individuals ’stranded’ in residential or hospital care.

The care home, which was built as a private venture, was bought by the government for £7.9 million, a decision approved by Tynwald at its June 2016 sitting.