PA mediaPutting a cap on the cost of care in nursing homes has the support of a “significant majority” of people who took part in a consultation on future care provision.
People were asked their views on two models proposed for how nursing, housing and home care should be funded on the Isle of Man.
Of the 1,227 people who took part, all but 5% supported moving away from the current funding model.
The government said it wanted to fund care services in a “more sustainable and fair way” and provide more financial support for people to receive care at home.
Respondents were split on which new model they supported, with 48% favoring a free personal care model similar to that used in Scotland. This is an “NHS-style model where personal care is provided free of charge, regardless of health status”. someone’s income or assets.”
About 45% chose a mixed model, which is comparable to Jersey's system, under which people with assets above a certain threshold must pay for their own health care up to a certain amount or 'cap'.
“Slide scale”
Under both models, people will still have to pay for their own accommodation and living expenses, and “those who cannot afford to pay these costs will be offered support to consider alternatives.”
Despite agreeing that there should be a cap, 78% of respondents “feel that a fixed amount is unacceptable or unfair” and prefer a percentage or sliding scale.
As a result of feedback, the Health and Care Transformation Program (HCTP) plans to test a sliding scale of thresholds that are a percentage of a person's gross income or assets, instead of a standard set amount.
Once work on this cost model is complete, it will be shared with the Treasury.
Following this, the affordability of implementing the new funding model will be evaluated and presented to Mr. Tynwald in 2025.
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