Michael MHK Alf Cannan says he is extremely disappointed by plans to withdraw clinical services from Cannan Court in Kirk Michael.
Ramsey Group Practice has said that it intends to withdraw the service from October 1.
In a letter copied to Mr Cannon, from Dr Keith Armour, it states the plan will ‘improve service delivery in the purpose-built facility at Jurby, where the needs of modern medicine can be made better’.
Mr Cannan has written to Health Minister David Anderson MHK about the matter. In his letter, dated July 4, Mr Cannan said he ‘was extremely disappointed to be informed that the Ramsey Group Practice are ceasing clinic services’.
He said that it has been suggested that elderly residents who make use of the current service will be required to attend the Jurby Health Centre.
‘I am curious to know how exactly this change will improve service delivery?’ he said. ‘Bus services from Kirk Michael to Jurby are irregular and many elderly residents in the community utilise the bus as their main mode of transport. It is highly feasible that elderly patients may have to make a round trip of up to four hours just to see a doctor. It is totally ridiculous.’
He added: ‘This also further serves to highlight the folly in siting the new health centre in Jurby.
‘It would have made more sense to have located this new facility in Kirk Michael, where additional clinic facilities are much needed, or even centrally in Sulby which would have provided a clear and accessible focal point for residents in the north of the island.
‘Either of these two options would have resulted in easing the pressure on both Ramsey and Peel Group Practices.
‘This is a clear demonstration of a complete lack of planning and foresight.
‘The Jurby Health Centre itself is a great facility which is situated in completely the wrong place and will unfortunately not fulfil its primary purpose to maximum efficiency because patients simply will not want to travel to Jurby.’
Mr Cannan asked the health minister to provide him with the following information; the full costs of operating the Jurby Healthcare Centre since opening; details of the arrangements with Ramsey Group Practice including financial agreements; opening hours; staffing requirements; number of patient appointments; whether the department has any plans to provide further clinic services in either Kirk Michael, Ballaugh or Sulby.
The Manx Independent contacted the Ramsey Group Practice regarding the situation, but at the time of going to press had not received a response.
l What do you think? Are you concerned about the loss of clinical services at Cannan Court? Email newsdesk@newsiom.co.im or write to Isle of Man Newspapers, Publishing House, Peel Road, Douglas, IM1 5PZ.