Feedback from patients, residents, carers, staff and community representatives will help shape the next stages of work to restore and develop services at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital (RDCH).
The discussion took place at a public meeting organised by the RDCH Consultative Committee last Thursday evening (6 August), which attracted significant interest from the local community. The RDCH Consultative Committee brings together stakeholders, local representatives and health and care organisations to support discussion about services in Ramsey and the North.
Around 300 people attended in person or watched online, with attendees invited to ask questions, share their experiences and highlight the issues that matter most to people in the North of the Island.
The meeting included an update on services at RDCH, including services that have already returned to the site and those where work is continuing to support a safe and sustainable return. The Minor Injuries Unit (MIU), X-ray services and DEXA bone scanning have returned, while blood testing, ECGs, outpatient clinics and most dermatology services have continued to operate from RDCH throughout the period of disruption.
Work is also progressing to support the return of physiotherapy, ultrasound and inpatient rehabilitation services on Martin Ward in the coming months. Renal dialysis and dental services are also expected to return, with detailed planning continuing around the practical arrangements and timescales required. Further direct engagement with affected patients will continue as implementation plans are finalised.
The meeting also provided reassurance about the future role of Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital in delivering health and care services for the North, with Manx Care and the Department of Health and Social Care reaffirming their commitment to the site and the continued development of services for local communities.
Members of the public raised questions and concerns about a range of issues, including the hospital estate, dental services, dialysis, Martin Ward, ophthalmology services, the Minor Injuries Unit and access to GP services. The long-term future of healthcare provision in the North, and the need for clearer and more regular communication as plans develop, were consistent themes throughout the discussion.
Manx Care Interim Chief Executive Officer, Dr Chris Stockport, said:
‘I would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion. The turnout showed how important Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital is to the community it serves, and we recognise the strength of feeling locally about its future.
‘We heard clearly that people want timely updates, transparency and greater certainty about future plans. We also recognise that changes to services and evolving plans have caused frustration and concern for some members of the community, and we are committed to improving how we communicate as this work progresses.
‘The meeting was an opportunity to explain the progress that has been made, listen directly to concerns and set out the work continuing behind the scenes to restore and strengthen services for people in the North.
‘We remain fully committed to Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital, and to returning services wherever it is safe, sustainable and clinically appropriate to do so. Just as importantly, we are committed to keeping patients, staff and the wider community informed about decisions, timescales and next steps.’
Feedback received during the event, together with additional questions submitted by attendees, will now be reviewed and used to inform ongoing planning, future service developments and engagement activity.
Work is already underway on a number of actions raised during the meeting, including continued engagement with dialysis patients, further planning for the return of services to RDCH, and consideration of concerns relating to ophthalmology services and urgent care provision.
Manx Care and the Department of Health and Social Care will continue to engage with patients, staff and the wider community as plans progress, providing updates as further decisions are made and key milestones are reached.
