Plans to return hospital services 'in full force'

A commitment to reinstating hospital services "in full force" in the north of the Isle of Man has been made by Manx Care and the Department of Health and Social Care.

A public meeting was held in Ramsey on Thursday for residents to learn about the future of the Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital, which has been beset with disruptions to services.

A ward in the hospital closed in October 2025, amid pest control issues, with closures then extended to the minor injuries unit, and several services relocated to Nobles Hospital.

While some services have returned, Manx Care confirmed that there is a plan in place on how it would bring full services back to the hospital, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

At the meeting several residents raised concerns about services, including renal dialysis, ophthalmology, the general upkeep of the building and what issues have been fixed, as well as GP surgeries.

Of the 13 services offered, three have returned to the site – the minor injuries unit, x-ray, and bone scanning.

Manx Care chief executive Chris Stockport said work to fully reopen the hospital was in its final stages.

"We're going to return to Ramsey Hospital in full force," he said.

He added that dialysis services would return "as quickly as we can in the next few months".

Manx Care outlined plans to restore several services, including ultrasound provisions, the Martin Ward Inpatients Unit, physiotherapy, and dentistry.

Dental services are to return to the site in a mobile unit from September.

Residents at the meeting shared their experiences of travelling to Douglas for treatment.

One patient described losing an entire day to attend a 10-minute ophthalmology appointment at Noble's Hospital.

"It would have been much better if I could have gone to the Ramsey Cottage, seen the ophthalmologist, had the pressure taken, and gone home," he said.

Another resident, whose husband has been receiving dialysis for more than two years, said the time traveling to Douglas had forced him to reduce his working hours.

While welcoming the commitments, she added: "Let's see what materialises."

Another attendee said they were "very pleased to receive the fundamental assurance" that the hospital would continue.

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