A revised timeline has been published to accommodate ongoing essential work at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital (RDCH).
A number of services normally delivered at RDCH were temporarily relocated in mid-December 2025 to enable ongoing remedial work following a pest control issue.
Following the initial site inspection, a plan was published to return all services to RDCH by the end of April 2026.
However, once detailed inspections took place, it was found that additional work was required on both the building and its underlying infrastructure. These issues must be rectified before all parts of the estate can be brought back into use for clinical services.
Manx Care, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the Department of Infrastructure have acted jointly to put in place a sustainable plan that ensures RDCH remains safe, compliant and clinically usable for years to come.
The revised programme will enable services to return safely where possible, while ensuring further works can continue without compromising patient care.
Phase 1 is currently underway and expected to be completed in mid-May 2026. This will enable a number of services to return ahead of Isle of Man TT fortnight, including the Minor Injuries Unit, bone density scanning, radiology, blood clinics and outpatient clinics.
Some services will continue to be delivered from alternative locations while work remains ongoing, and temporary transport will continue to be provided. Full details are available at gov.im/rdch
Teresa Cope, Chief Executive Officer of Manx Care, said:
‘We know how important RDCH is to the community it serves, and we do not underestimate the impact of ongoing disruption. Our priority has been to maintain patient care safely while carrying out the work needed to future‑proof the building. We will continue to keep people informed as the programme progresses and as services are able to return.’
Health and Social Care Minister Claire Christian MHK said: ‘These works are necessary to ensure that services provided from RDCH are sustainable for the long term. This is not about quick fixes, but about taking responsible decisions now to protect services for the future.’
Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall MHK said:
‘The Department of Infrastructure is working closely with Manx Care to deliver a robust programme of works at RDCH. This work is focussed on addressing underlying issues and ensuring the building can continue to support healthcare services for many years to come.’
Contingency plans are in place to ensure services will operate safely and effectively during times of increased demand.
