Latest news with #ClaireChristian
BBC News
20 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Manx mental health patient care in UK cost £18m in five years
More than £18m has been spent by the Isle of Man government on sending mental health patients to the UK for acute care, new figures have latest figures were outlined by the health minister in a Tynwald written answer to Rushen MHK Juan Watterson. Claire Christian said 38 people had received off-island treatment since 2020, eight of whom were under the age of 18. She said these were "highly specialised placements" and included court-ordered prison transfers. The annual figures show an average of £3.6m is spent year on year on specialist care, with the highest annual spend at £4,131,785 for total, £18,468,690 has been spent in the last five years, with £3,643,868 spent in 2024-25. 'Complex placements' Christian other admissions included "locked mental health rehabilitation placements, such as after stepping down from low secure forensic wards".Placements to "specialist perinatal mother and baby units, or placements to specialist eating disorder units" were also average length of stay for an adult is just short of a year at 322 days, while under 18s have an average stay of 10 figures show that from 2020 and 2023, six people were sent as a result of a court order or transferred from 2023-25, that number rose to added that people in long term "complex placements" may be counted in more than one year, "therefore the total numbers may be different to the individual number of patients". Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Extra £15m to cover healthcare overspend approved by Tynwald
An additional £15.3m in funding to cover the cost of an overspend on healthcare last year has been approved by Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) asked for the sum at the final sitting of the parliament before the summer recess to cover spending by Manx Care in a debate lasting one and a half hours, several members criticised the department's continuous DHSC Minister Claire Christian said the DHSC had "identified areas of further efficiency which will be developed and implemented" this financial year. Among members who stated they would not support the supplementary vote was Onchan MHK Rob Callister, who called for a "fundamental review" of Manx Care's said "difficult conversations" were needed after the healthcare operator had repeatedly overspent and needed extra funds each year since it was created in April 2021. Calling for "reform, change and restructuring", he said Tynwald had become "an open cheque book" and they had reached a "critical junction".His views were echoed by Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Tim Glover who said "enough is enough".He said: "We're just going to stand here and vote £15.3m through as if it was perfectly normal.""Get your act together," he rising to speak was Douglas North MHK John Wannenburgh, who called the situation "nothing short of ridiculous" and blamed the overspending on budget also argued a full breakdown of where the overspend had come from was needed, calling for a review of the "bloated management" within Manx Care and the DHSC. Christian said Manx Care was "still going through a great deal of growing pains" and the DHSC had worked on "tightening spending controls".She said in the 2024-25 year, the healthcare provider had saved £13.4m through its cost improvement was through reducing bank and agency staff, optimising medicines, workforce management, review of high-cost contracts, reducing supply expenditure and increased commercial income, she she said despite this "spending exceeded the amount allocated for the services outlined in the mandate for the year" and further work was "still required to achieve more efficiencies".The minister said she wanted "solutions" from Tynwald members and asked them to help avoid the same situation arising the following motion carried, with 18 votes for and five against in the House of Keys, and seven for and one against in Legislative Council. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'Added pressures' cause £15m Isle of Man healthcare overspend
Tynwald will be asked to approve £15.3m overspend on healthcare services for the last financial year, after a previous bid for extra money was thwarted in Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will ask for the sum, which is £4.7m less than previously sought, at the final sitting of the parliament before the summer recess this costs, off-island care, and inflation have been blamed for the overspend in DHSC initially asked for an extra £20m, which included £5.35m to "mitigate" for any additional costs, but politicians argued the department should come back with a "exact figure". Health Minister Claire Christian said all healthcare systems around the world were "grappling with rising costs" and even with savings, inflation could "sometimes outpace them, which puts added pressure on our budget""The team remains firmly committed to managing those challenges carefully," she the overspends were down to several key factors, including a 3.9% tariff increase by the UK's NHS in October for off-island care, which had prompted a review into the cost of tertiary had affected the price of a number of medications, pushing drug spending up by 4% on the previous department said there were also "significant increases in costs for treatments in cancer, rheumatology, renal, gastroenterology and cystic fibrosis".Several new services, ranging from the emergency helicopter service, to staff training, and community pharmacy contract changes, had also cost the department an extra £3.8m. And a further £2.3m was needed to cover staff pay rises, which were settled at 8%.These pressures were cited among others as the reason the DHSC would be using the full £10m contingency funding allocated to the department. 'Significant recruitment gaps' At its latest board meeting, Manx Care confirmed was already looking at a £2m deficit in the current financial officer Tammy Hewitt said risks to funding around pay awards still being negotiated and unknown factors relating to tertiary care meant the healthcare provider was "assuming we will need full usage of the £10m Treasury contingency fund" this executive director of operations Shaun Stacey said issues remained in securing staff meaning there were "some significant recruitment gaps"."We're still significantly struggling to recruit in our medical workforce," he was also a pressure to provide a more responsive acute and urgent care service, which was taking "a lot longer than anticipated" as it required further investment, he member Charlotte Orton told the meeting work was being undertaken in occupational therapy to improve recruitment and retention. She said: "We've done quite a lot of work with universities in the UK about potentially offering remote training for people that don't want to leave the island."It was hoped a limited number of remote learning spaces would be available "if not this year then possibly next year", she added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Call for review of Isle of Man patient Liverpool hotel allowance
An MHK has called for a review of allowances for patients who have to travel to Liverpool for specialist treatment after the introduction of a "tourist tax" in this year hoteliers voted to approve a £2 overnight charge for staying in the city in a bid generate millions to support the hospitality Maltby said Manx patients should be exempt because a clinician had recommended they travel for care so they were "not visiting out of choice".Health Minister Claire Christian said, while she acknowledged the additional cost, there was "no clear evidence" that patients were being "disproportionately impacted". Christian said she also believed that "no barriers to accessing essential NHS services had occurred" as a result of the patients, some of who are allowed to take a companion, travelling to Liverpool for care that cannot be provided on the island currently receive £50 per person per night via the patient transfer are treated in institutions such as the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. The newly-introduced charge was voted for by members of the city's Accommodation Business Improvement District in a said it was unfair that Manx patients, already under stress, should have to field the supplement and it had been an "unintended consequence" of the said those receiving treatment and their companions should not have to "pick up the tab" and called for an exemption "to ensure people aren't being penalised". 'Difficult time' Carole Male, who runs the Isle of Man Patient Transfer Facebook page and is vice president of the Mannin Cancers charity, said the charge should not be allowed to affect our patients, and it it did "then the allowance should surely be raised to cover it". She said the current offer "often does not cover their costs", which could leave "patients in a very difficult position at an extremely difficult time".In a response a written question by Maltby on the matter, the health minister also confirmed an assessment of accommodation allowances paid to patients for stays in the UK is to be reviewed by the Department of Health and Social results are set to be published in July 2026. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Skift
24-06-2025
- Skift
The Climate Risks of Antarctica's TikTok Tourism Rise
As visitor numbers climb and warnings of environmental risks mount, it remains to be seen whether new rules will be introduced, or if Antarctica will remain a frontier for high-carbon adventure tourism. A record 130,000 people visited Antarctica last season, according to the latest data from the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, prompting warnings from environmentalists about the growing climate impact. The group said much of the growth has come from tourism and researchers have predicted that the visitor counts will keep rising. Expedition cruises, helicopter tours, kayaking, snorkeling, and polar plunges are now widely available, with packages averaging around $12,000 per person. The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition has warned that action must be taken to prevent irreversible damage and bring Antarctica's tourism under control. 'If you're not regulating one of the fastest-growing human activities, you're not truly protecting Antarctica,' said Claire Christian, Executive Director of the coalition. Climate Impact of a Trip to Antarctica A typical trip to Antarctica generates about 5.44 tonnes of CO₂ per person, or roughly 0.49 tonnes per day, according to one emissions analysis. About half of all visitors to Antarctica begin their journey in the United States, adding significant emissions from long-haul flights to cruise departure points in Cape Town, South Africa, or Ushuaia, Argentina. Combined, these factors make Antarctic tourism one of the highest carbon-impact travel choices available. A single trip can exceed the annual carbon footprint of the average individual. The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators reports there are now over 70 tourism vessels that operate to Antarctica, together making nearly 600 voyages each season. Tourists tend to visit during the short Antarctic summer, which scientists say amplifies their environmental impact. Researchers have found that snow in the most heavily visited regions contains higher concentrations of black carbon from ship exhaust, which absorbs heat and accelerates ice melt. On parts of the Antarctic Peninsula, this could contribute to surface snow melting by up to 23 millimeters each summer. What's Driving The Growth in Antarctic Tourism? Researchers have pointed to TikTok and social media as driving interest in travel to the continent. TikTok influencers have posted eye-catching videos of towering icebergs, close-up wildlife encounters, and dramatic polar plunges. Hashtags like #AntarcticaTrip and #PolarPlunge have attracted millions of views. A recent study showed that one post reached 67.7 million views, highlighting the growing digital fascination with the continent. Swan Hellenic, a cruise company operating trips to Antarctica, has also spoken about social media's impact. The company said that it experienced a 25% growth in guest numbers in the most recent season. 'This level of achievement makes it clear that all the glowing guest reports to travel agents, on social media and more widely are really gaining traction,' the company said in a press release. The company told Skift it is aware of the carbon impacts of its growth. The SH Vega can carry over 150 guests to Antarctica. It is a diesel electric hybrid vessel. 'Swan Hellenic recognises the environmental impact of travelling to Antarctica and has taken active steps to reduce its footprint,' a spokesperson said. Its current vessel, the SH Vega, is a 370-foot-long hybrid diesel-electric cruise ship that can carry over 120 crew and around 150 guests over nine decks. The company did not confirm the ship's specific carbon emissions, but said this technology has meant the vessel is more efficient, burning 20-40% less fuel than older ships. It added that it is preparing its fleet for battery-powered, low-emission operations. 'Swan Hellenic is committed to preserving the beauty of the world it explores and has comprehensive, concrete ecological commitments,' the spokesperson said. Can Antarctica Tourism Be Sustainable? Antarctica has no permanent residents or national government. Tourism is managed under the Antarctic Treaty System and regulated by IAATO. 'Since its inception, IAATO has taken a proactive role in managing tourism activities in the Antarctic environment,' the organization told Skift. 'Members vote annually on policies covering safety, emissions, and environmental standards. Operators submit seasonal fuel data, which is independently analyzed to track emissions and refine reduction targets.' The emissions data is not available publicly. IAATO said in a previous statement the data will be used 'internally as the basis to monitor and refine emission reduction targets.' IAATO added that it is a 'significant challenge for polar operators' to find non fossil-fuel alternatives that are safe for cold conditions and that are available remotely. People taking photos of icebergs in Antarctica. SOurce: IAATO It said however that Antarctic tourism, if managed responsibly, can have a lasting positive impact. 'Many visitors leave transformed,' IAATO said. 'They become lifelong ambassadors for the Antarctic.' Growing Calls For Regulation Academic researchers have proposed some ideas to offset the environmental impact. They noted that discussions around visitor caps and pricing mechanisms have started but no formal policies have been implemented. 'We cannot be sure that price-based mechanisms will alter tourist numbers or behaviors,' the study authors said. 'However, they could raise revenue to improve monitoring and strengthen management.' The researchers also called for stricter rules and certifications for tour operators. The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition has said that it expects Antarctic tourism to be a key discussion point at upcoming international conferences, and is advocating for more regulations. IAATO said its members have unanimously pledged to reduce emissions and achieve net zero by 2050. 'Tourism growth is a trend identified worldwide,' an IAATO spokesperson told Skift. 'Our goal is to leave Antarctica as majestic for future generations as it is today, demonstrating that environmentally responsible tourism is possible in remote and fragile wilderness areas.' Skift's in-depth reporting on climate issues is made possible through the financial support of Intrepid Travel. This backing allows Skift to bring you high-quality journalism on one of the most important topics facing our planet today. Intrepid is not involved in any decisions made by Skift's editorial team.
