A damning verdict on the island’s health service has been released.

A ’systemic lack of communication’, ’front-line staff are demotivated’, ’service-user is not at the centre’ and a ’dearth of meaningful data’ are some of the comments made in the report that was released last week.

Taking to the streets, we spoke to residents who gave their views on the care they or their loved ones have received from GPs and hospitals here.

’When you’re seen it’s fine, but it’s just getting seen,’ said Neil Browne, 37, from Douglas.

’Last year my daughter had viral meningitis and she got seen straightaway. At the time I was scared. She’s fine now.

’My little girl has cerebral palsy and when we go in for check up they have leg splints sized up. We use the doctors all the time and would be lost without them. My dad’s treatment at the hospice was brilliant too.’

He said that his father had been brought over from the UK to be closer to family.

Emma Longwith from Douglas, said: ’I’ve had no issues with the health service, but I know that people do. I had an endoscopy and the staff were lovely. They were great and supportive. They held my hand and talk to me during it.’

She said that she had faced one problem with the service shortly after her child was born.

’My daughter had a bleed in her neck when she was born and nothing happened at the time. A few weeks later and her neck went to the side. I went to hospital and it took quite a lot of persuasion for them to do something.

’I think they thought I was just being paranoid, especially when you’re a first time mother.’

Treatment was quickly given once the medical team realised there was an issue, she said.

’I think we’re very lucky to have the NHS, even with its glitches. I have private health care, but I’ve chosen to use NHS health care because I was fed up with private which kept fobbing me off,’ she added.

Anne Waugh, 76, from Onchan, found there was a ’lack of communication’ at the hospital after her husband’s scheduled operation didn’t take place after a two-year wait, she said.

’My husband went there yesterday and was supposed to have an operation at 8am for his cataracts. The blood sample didn’t come up right and we were told we’d have to do another one.

’It’s been an awful amount of waiting and has been a big deal for my husband, Dave, as he cannot drive and cannot read. We went in yesterday thinking the operation would be done. It’s upsetting because of the way he is.

’The nurses and consultant were all very sympathetic to us.’

Donna Primrose-Smith, 46, from Port St Mary, said: ’I went there last weekend with a friend who had done her leg in when they came off their push bike.

’We waited for two-and-a-half hours and were seen to for about 15 minutes.

’At the end of the day it’s the way it is.

’We’ve got to wait. Everyone was very caring and do they do their best.

’I’m definitely grateful for the NHS and that we can see people when we need to.’

Her daughter, Shannon, 15, said: ’I think the staff there are all friendly.’