The Manx Legion Club is extending an invitation to members of the public who would like to learn more about the funding arrangements for nursing and residential care in the Isle of Man.
The public meeting, which is free of charge, is being held on Wednesday 31 January at the Manx Legion Club in Douglas at 7:30 pm.
Government has been working since mid-2016 to explore future funding options for nursing and residential care following a report by a committee of Tynwald. A cross-Government working group was formed which recently held two focus groups with various stakeholders.
The Manx Legion approached the Government to see if both parties could work together to raise awareness of and explain the current system of funding, ahead of any future consultation and debate on new funding methods.
Minister for Policy and Reform Chris Thomas MHK, will be opening the presentation. He will be accompanied by Treasury officers from the Social Security Division, which operates the existing regulations.
Minister Thomas said:
'Arrangements around nursing and residential care are complex and often emotive. Government is only too happy to help better inform members of the public on the current arrangements in place. This is important as we move towards a debate on how these vital services will be delivered and funded in the future, especially with the aim of focusing on more care in the community.'
Feedback from the recent focus groups has shown that there is a desire for more information on the current system and a feeling from the public that they lack an understanding in how the system operates.
The Minister continued:
'The Isle of Man continues to see an increase in life expectancy, which is a positive achievement for our nation. As a result, people are likely to spend a longer period of their later years requiring care and support, meaning demand for these services is increasing. The cost of funding long-term nursing and residential care is an important and increasingly pressing matter and the way forward is something around which Government and society must seek to build consensus.'
