Health Minister David Ashford has provided assurances over how recommendations made following the death of a child will be handled.

The new Bill is designed to provide for reviews in respect of the deaths of children and young people in the island.

Mr Ashford was asked by Lawrie Hooper (Lib Vannin, Ramsey) to detail what checks were put on the recommendations and who was ultimately the decider in what actions may need to be taken.

Mr Hooper told the minister he was concerned that the capacity for a person or organisation to explain why it wouldn’t be carrying out steps recommended would be a ’massive get out clause’ if they said ’we don’t have the money’ or ’we don’t agree’.

He added: ’What action is there to ensure that if this is a serious failing that has been identified by a review that someone, somewhere has the power to say "thank you for explaining why you’re not doing it but actually we find that reason unacceptable and actually we are going to insist"?’

And Mr Hooper wanted to know if Tynwald would be told about such incidents and who would be able to take action if it occured.

Mr Ashford told him that as he understands the Bill, the Death Overview Panel can ’insist’ on a review.

He added: ’I will have it clarified, but my understanding is that there is a mechanism and there is no "get out of jail free card".’

The minister also confirmed the child death review partners, departments and authorities which will conduct the reviews.

Mr Ashford said these include: ’The Department of Health and Social Care, Department of Education, Sport and Culture, the Isle of Man Constabularly and such other person as may be specified under order by the Cabinet Office.’ The latter would need to be approved by Tynwald.