With a shake up of the Manx health service due for next year, we asked people what they thought of our health service.

David Robinson from Andreas said: ’All the dealings we’ve had with them, we couldn’t complain.

’I think they’ve done very well, especially with Covid-19.’

On the shake up, which will involve the creation of a new quango called Manx Care, David added: ’I don’t think it needs updating myself, it seems to work well enough I think.

’The things that they’ve done now, they’ve got their own oxygen plant up there, they’ve just got a new MRI scanner - I think they’ve updated everything already.’

Explaining their family’s personal experiences with the health service, his wife, Christine said: ’Two members of our family had cancer, and the care they got was second to none.’

Collin Holland, from Castletown, said: ’In the last three months I would say it’s been doing absolutely brilliantly.

’I had an operation on my arm four weeks ago and I have full praise for Noble’s Hospital.

’It was due for April 8, and cancelled about four days before - but as soon as things were up and running again I had the operation.’

Asked about if he thought people were more appreciative of the health service after Covid-19, he said: ’Well certainly we are.

’We can’t speak for others, and you look at Facebook and it makes you wonder.

’But I think the majority of people are, yes.’

His wife, Christine, talked about her experiences, saying: ’Since the beginning of the year they’ve been doing good, I went into hospital myself then for sepsis - and they looked after me, everything was great.

’It was a bit hectic, but they were doing great.’

Mr Holland added: ’My only gripe is that you have to phone in at the doctor’s first before you can get an appointment, whereas I’m used to doing it online so I can look at the days and choose a day I want to see a doctor. But I assume it will return to normal eventually.’

Steve Watson, from Douglas, said: ’There’s a lot that could be improved, but that all comes down to budgets and the availability of staff.

’I think the recruitment is obviously difficult here, bringing people across, as well as services that we don’t have.’

He added: ’I think they’ve handled the pandemic well given the tools that they had.

’What can you do? It’s a once in a 100 year event, so they’ve done reasonably well.’

Courtney Laylor-Smith, from Douglas also spoke positively of it: ’The island’s doing a lot better than other places.

’My mum lives in England, and she’s just gone back into lockdown.

’So they’ve obviously done a really good job over here, if we’re able to go out in public and go into shops. I’m happy with what they’ve done.’

Asked about her personal experiences with it, she added: ’I’ve been in hospital because of my blood, I’m anaemic.

’They did a really good job, even showing me dietary things that could help.

’Also for treating my mental health - they did a great job getting me out, getting me the help I need. They’ve just been a really good help in that area.’