The decision to change the patient transfer taxi operator was taken without discussion at political level in the Department of Health, Minister Kate Beecroft has revealed.

She also admitted no attempt was made to influence the weighting process used to consider the importance of quality of service against overall cost.

ComCab Liverpool is taking over the taxi transfer contract for patients travelling to hospitals in England from next Monday (March 27).

It awarded the contract following a competitive tendering exercise.

Bridgewater, which had operated the contract for more than 20 years, appealed unsuccessfully against the decision.

The Department of Health and Social Care says that patients who travel often should not see any change in service, which will include full assistance and door to door collection and drop-off as standard. It says the switch will save £30,000.

In Tynwald on Tuesday, Mrs Beecroft was put on the spot about the contract.

David Cretney MLC asked her whether all department members were in favour of the decision and whether her department tried to influence how much weight was given to quality of service, as against cost.

Mrs Beecroft said: ’This did not come to the department meeting for a departmental decision, because it is purely a procurement service which was already under way. It followed correct procedures.

’Any difference in weighting would have to be decided right at the beginning of the procurement process.’

She added: ’I was not consulted about any difference of weighting and we would not try to influence a procurement process once it has been agreed and was underway.’

She said the procurement process was meant to be free from political interference.

Previously, Mrs Beecroft has stated there was a 50 per cent weighting in favour of quality of service.

The minister told Tynwald the new contract was for a three-year period, with the department having an option to extend for two years.

The contract will also include quality measures that the department can monitor. Mrs Beecroft said the contract will have built in financial penalties for failure to reach service requirements and, ultimately, the option for the department of ending the contract.

In response to questions from David Ashford (Douglas North), Mrs Beecroft confirmed that one of the changes in the arrangement will see a fixed rate for each of the journeys, so every journey from between the same airport and hospital will be a set amount.