Tynwald has approved the Treasury giving health chiefs another £4 million to help them meet an overspend - but only after searing criticism.

With the shadow looming of a major debate on reforms to health service funding later this year, Health Minister David Ashford today sought approval for the Treasury to transfer up to £4 million from general revenue to cover the excess expenditure.

He said it might not all be needed, but it was prudent to be prepared. He also argued it was an improvement on previous years when the Department of Health and Social Care had gone cap in hand to Tynwald for more money at an earlier stage - normally the January sitting.

Increased costs at Noble’s Hospital, including drugs funding and a staff pay award along with acute care services, accounted for the majority of the overspend.

The minister admitted a ’genuine sense of disappointment’ among health chiefs that they had not kept within their budget targets.

While the money was approved unanimously, several members criticised the management of Noble’s Hospital and leadership of the health department. Chris Robertshaw (Douglas East) accused the minister of ’posturing’.