No change to ending of Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement between the Isle of Man and the UK

Despite recent reports in the media, the Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS) can confirm that having today sought clarification from the Welsh Assembly Government in Cardiff, the Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement between the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom will come to an end, as planned, on 31st March 2010 and that this will apply to the whole of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales).

The ending of the Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement is as a result of action taken by the UK Government and not the Isle of Man. Hon W. E. Teare, MHK, the Minister for Health and Social Security commented

“Clearly with the UK having three devolved administrations, one in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as the UK Government in Westminster, there are a number of views held by various elected representatives throughout the various assemblies of the United Kingdom on the issue of reciprocal healthcare agreements.

Whilst it is my understanding that there is a willingness by the Welsh Assembly Government to consider the possibility of a new reciprocal healthcare agreement between Wales and the Isle of Man, they remain in discussions with the UK’s Department of Justice and Department of Health as to whether or not they have the legal authority to enter into a reciprocal healthcare agreement of their own.

Any such move in this direction would represent a totally new reciprocal healthcare agreement solely between the Isle of Man and Wales and could clearly not now be in place for the 1st April this year.

Whilst I continue to hold out hopes for a change of heart at Whitehall and have this week written to the UK Secretary of State for Health, Rt. Hon. Andy Burnham, MP asking for an urgent review of this matter; I can confirm that the agreement for reciprocal healthcare provision between the Isle of Man and the whole of the United Kingdom will cease to exist from 1st April 2010 and that the UK Government’s longstanding and clear position on this matter has not changed.”