Patients Waiting up to 12 Hours

Health Minister Claire Christian revealed the figure in Tynwald as Onchan MHK Julie Edge questioned bed capacity.

In February 2026, 311 patients waited 12 hours or more in the emergency department, representing almost 10% of attendees. The four-hour standard was met for just 57% of patients.

Ms Christian referenced the DHSC’s announcement of an independent rapid review of all bed capacity at Noble’s Hospital.

She said it “will build on engagement with frontline staff” and “provide independent assurance on the actions already underway.”

However, she couldn’t give a timeframe for when this would happen.

Unit

A 12-space emergency department clinical decisions unit, initially due to open by the end of April, has been delayed until the end of May due to recruitment taking longer than expected.

A modular unit at Ramsey District Cottage Hospital to provide minor injury and radiology services is expected from mid-May.

Ms Christian told Tynwald a key constraint is the physical size of the emergency department, which is currently around 47% of the recommended NHS footprint.

Responding to concerns about safety, the Minister said: “Having been there myself, I can absolutely confirm and say to the honourable member and to constituents and to the wider public that I saw absolute excellent service level from the clinical staff.”

She added that hitting the four-hour target must not come at the expense of proper patient care: “It is so important that we don’t just try and hit a target when it’s patients that should come first.”