Plans to suspend private healthcare services in the island have come under fire from patients.

It was announced this week that the private patients’ unit at Noble’s Hospital is to close for up to 18 months from January.

Health Minister David Ashford said the suspension of services was to allow for the complete revamp of private medical services.

The unit will be revamped and potentially a third party operator brought in. New cost mechanisms and a new code of practice for consultants will be introduced.

The suspension applies only to the private patients’ unit and theatre - private clinics, radiology and blood tests, for example, are all unaffected.

Mr Ashford said the line between private and NHS services had become blurred and the changes would ensure their complete separation.

He said the current unit was not fit for purpose and income from it had declined and had even been making a loss in some years. The revamp aimed to provide a new income stream to support NHS services.

But patients with private medical insurance have hit out at the suspension of services.

One who did not wish to be named said: ’Where’s the consultation? Who came up with this absurd idea?’

She said she had checked her Axa island plan policy and been told her insurance will only cover off-island travel if she can prove she can’t get the treatment on the island.

’If the NHS can do it, will you be covered?’ she asked. ’It’s confusing.’

She said patients will think twice about travelling to Liverpool for a half-hour consultation and use the NHS instead.

’It will add to the waiting list.

How can it not?

’Patients will just join the NHS queue and make things worse,’ she said.

John Woodman, of Castletown, has self-funded his private eye and ear treatment and doesn’t have private medical insurance.

He said: ’I receive ongoing private treatment from two consultants at Noble’s.

’I am entirely satisfied with the current arrangements and fail to understand why the Health Minister finds it unfit for purpose.

’Can he explain to me what I should do for the 18 months during which my treatment will be unavailable as a result of his unilaterally imposed ban?’

The Health Minister said: ’Each private medical plan is unique. Some do include transport and accommodation.

’In fact, in its Isle of Man policy BUPA does include it as an option.’ He said the refurbishment costs of the unit had been estimated at £323,333 including wallpaper, carpets, finishing in the 14 inpatient rooms, three outpatient rooms and hallway/reception.

Potential IT system costs and licences would be £69,684.

’The cost to revamp the unit will depend on what we decide over the next few months we want from the unit and if we partner with a third party provider,’ he added.

Asked about whether private medical services cross subsidises NHS services, he said: ’Some of the figures I’ve seen, depending on what accounting standards you use, show the private patient wing currently loses money in some years and so far from supporting NHS work actually consumes department budget.’

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