The out-of-hours cover for the Isle of Man is provided by Meds. The GP workforce is locally recruited.
We were informed on 1 April that because fewer contacts were made on the midnight-8am shift, this element of Meds was to be axed and replaced by A&E and ambulance paramedics. This arrangement will start on 1 July.
GPs on the island are unanimous in their opposition to these changes. No provision seems to have been made for certifying death, sectioning, care of the terminally ill at home, or visits to patients in nursing or residential homes. There has been no discussion with GPs, A&E or the ambulance service, unless it has been at the highest managerial level.
From Dr John McDonald, Douglas, Isle of Man
