The Newsletter All monies of the Friends of collected are the Manx spent on the Isle Diabetic. of Man. The diabetic No monies are support Group sent of the IOM g{x W|tuxà|v off Island g{x Uxáà tÇw ÅÉáà \ÇyÉÜÅtà|äx W|tuxà|v axãáÄxààxÜ ÉÇ à{x \áÄx Éy `tÇ Issue number 27 Date: December 2009 LEADING FROM THE FRONT Caaryjn Lught Vannin yn Chingys Millish A Charity registered in the Isle of Man. Charity number 894. All monies collected from whatever source will be used exclusively on the Isle of Man for the benefit of diabetics and their medical carers. HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR Your Chairman asks Secretary of State for Health in UK for a meeting Chairman negotiates new deal with Insurance Company for Manx people Manx Government ignores wishes of the Manx people All but six MHK’s wash their hands of the people, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN The Debate, quotes and who said what The Christmas message by the Rev John Guilford.

In this issue Chairman asks Secretary of State Chairman asks Secretary of State for Health for an interview for Health for an interview. Chairman negotiates new deal with insurance company for After listening to the debate in Tynwald on the Manx people the Reciprocal Health Agreement the Chairman The Last Laugh: Are we a Nation or a nonentity? Manx Government Ignores wishes of the Manx People. felt enough was enough. All but six MHK’s and all MLC’s wash their hands of the Not a mention of what the Government had people, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN done or what the Government had discussed The Lion and the Civil Service The Debate, quotes and who said what with the British Government, what they Is this going to happen here? proposed doing, or indeed why it had really Passports been rescinded and what our Government had The Christmas Message by the Rev John Guilford How about this for a speeding ticket been told by the UK Government. The Manx Diabetes Centre If the Island Government was not prepared to The Blood Clinic tell its people what they had done or been told, DisabledGo, do they go or do they stay? Letter from a Commissioner’s Office the Chairman felt he had to flash out the The Baldrine Methodist Church. answers from the British Government and tell News in Brief the people. St John Ambulance The alternate last laugh The Chairman decided to write a personal P.S. letter to the Secretary of State for Health in the United Kingdom asking for an interview. From past experience in dealing with real Governments, the Chairman who has dealt with Secretaries of State, and Prime Ministers before, knew that The Secretary of State would Food to eat in be left with two choices, either to agree to an Food to take away interview, and we would put our proposals to Food for thought him, or he would refuse the interview and tell

Are all available at us why they had rescinded the Reciprocal Feegan’s Internet Lounge 8 Victoria Street, Douglas Health Agreement with the Isle of Man, and a minefield that will not work for the benefit of what they intended to do. both our peoples, and we therefore must find a The ploy worked. simpler system of operation on this health He of course refused the interview, but they scenario, so that we can both return to some gave us chapter and verse of why they had semblance of accommodation that will be rescinded the Reciprocal Agreement and what beneficial to both your Government, that of the the real situation was. Isle of Man, and both our peoples. In his letter to the Secretary of State the We have been given to understand that this Chairman said. has all come about because of the antics of a “It is with regret and apologies that I write certain party. But in reality we should not be you seeking a meeting with your good self to tarred with the same brush as our Government discuss the above problem and propose an has been beyond reproach. agenda to see if the matter can be resolved to One of the great high principles on which all the satisfaction of all concerned. Please our history has been underpinned has been the understand that I am not writing as part of the judicial system that “you are innocent until Isle of Man Government or on behalf of the proven guilty”. The Isle of Man has not been Government, but as a concerned citizen and proven guilty, but your predecessor rescinded defender of the interests of the Manx people.” the Reciprocal Health Agreement by The Chairman went on to describe who he association, which argument in a Court of Law was and what he did, he then pointed out. will not hold water. “As you are no doubt aware the Rescinding of There are many on the Island who argue for the Reciprocal Health Agreement by your writing to the Commission of Hunam Rights predecessor Dawn Primarolo, which had been and the taking of the British Government to the in operation between our two jurisdictions since Court of Human Rights, but I for one, at this 1948, has been brought to an end, with stage, do not believe this is the present route to disastrous consequences and shock to the go, as I am a great believer in friendly peoples of the Isle of Man, their families and discussion by both parties. Though time is of friends in the UK and those who come to visit the essence, there is still mileage in our putting our Island. both our points of view on the table, and We may be a separate jurisdiction, but we are coming to an accommodation. part of the Commonwealth, and your Queen is I understand that because of what has also my Queen. Her Majesty is the Lord of happened we cannot get back to how things Mann and we have her representative as were before, but I am sure that in talking, we Governor on the Isle of Man, so we are bound can find a compromise, which is both equitable together as one people. to your Government and that of the Isle of Man. Because of the above the people of the Isle of I would therefore respectfully ask you to Man and the people of the United Kingdom grant us the opportunity to meet with you, as have always been comrades and brothers in we have sensible, practical and humanitarian arms during two world wars, and some of our proposals to put before you, to try to resolve the young men are even today fighting alongside problems that have been inadvertently created yours in Afghanistan, suffering the same for both our citizens. dangers as your young men, and can die like We just cannot continue to stand in yours. Why, because we are one people who intransigent positions to the detriment of our over the years have worked together and lived two peoples”. together as the relatives of the Manx people on We awaited a reply, and then we got an both the Island and the people of the UK can answer. testify. The Letter explained what would happen on With all due respect, the present system that 1st April next, what both our citizens needed to has been imposed by your Government leaves do to travel to both our jurisdictions with much to be desired as it has been conceived on insurance and the fact that “ The Department is the spur of the moment as a back lash to other looking at ways to reinforce this message to the unfortunate circumstances. It is fraught with UK public in light of the forthcoming end to the problems both for your Government and that of agreement”. the Isle of Man. It has been ill thought out, it is We are then told of what the Secretary of “I am sorry that this may not be the response State thinks it is going to do to the Tourist you wanted, but I hope it explains the UK industry on the Island. Government position”. “Whilst the Department understands that this Of course this should not be the last throw of reply will be disappointing, it does recognise the dice, as there are other ways to go about it. that the ending of the agreement will have an There is still room for manoeuvre and effect on the individuals, particularly those that arguments, but the Chairman is not now travel regularly to the Isle of Man” prepared to argue the toss with the UK This really means that he accepts what is Government or anyone else anymore. going to happen to the Tourist industry in the He believes that he has done enough for the Isle of Man, which if our Government does not Manx people and it is now up to the Manx do anything about it, it’s going to collapse. Government to argue on their behalf, they now They then explain the real reason why the know what the British Government is openly decision had been taken. Money, and in their saying, all they have to is work around it. usual stealth mode, how they had circumvented We have done what we can for the Isle of the problem without mentioning money. Man people, it is now up to our Government to “ However, the decision was taken in overall tell us what they intend doing for us. terms and against the background of the wide availability of travel insurance.” Basically another stealth tax, but this excuse Join us saves the UK Government £2.9 million pounds, We are the Group that gets things and increases their income through insurance. done They go on to say, “The UK Government continues to look at Pick up the phone and ring all bilateral healthcare agreements to ensure Jan on (01624) 613702 that they are relevant and represent value for We also need your help. money for the UK taxpayer”. This in reality is what it’s all about, we are not in the EU and therefore in this day and age Chairman negotiates new deal cannot form part of the UK Taxpayer system. A good stick to beat us with at every occasion. with insurance company for What we need to do is go independent, join Manx people the EU and all our problems would be solved. The Chairman of the Friends of the Manx In closing they say. Diabetic, Henry Ramagge, in view of the “Finally, you asked for a meeting with the inactivity of the department of Health and Secretary of State to discuss alternative Social Security again took it upon himself to solutions to ending the reciprocal health discuss insurance for the Manx People with Mr agreement with the Isle of Man. I am sorry but Brian Kelly of Medical Health Plus. Mr Burnham is unable to accept your invitation. The points that were discussed were the The Department has no current plans to inadequacy of the £10,000 cover as this, the revisit the decision to cease the agreement, nor Chairman felt was not enough in the event of does it plan to seek a replacement agreement”. serious problems if hospitalized. So there you go, your are on your own. Of course he was also very worried by the They are not interested in you. Wake up Manx fact that the insurance stopped at 80, which Government. would incarcerate all Manx people over 80 on This is what they have said to the Isle of Man the Island for the rest of their life. Government. This is what they did not tell us The Chairman had no problem with the during the Debate on the Reciprocal Health repatriation and the bringing back of a body in Agreement. Now we all know. the event of death as contained in the policy So now it is up to the Isle of Man that was being proposed. Government to step up to the plate and resolve After a few sessions and substantial the problems that their own people are facing. discussions, Mr Kelly took on board the The letter ends by saying. proposals made for an extension of the age limit and the increase in cover, and promised to It will then be up to our Government to discuss the matter with his underwriters. resolve the problem and find an alternate On the 11th November the Chairman received solution because the Friends of the Manx an e-mail from Mr Kelly, that contained the Diabetic will not take the chestnuts out of the following. Government fire once again. “I can now give you the following updates on This insurance is being provided by Offshore changes to Medical Health Plus. Travel Insurance Limited an Isle of Man 1) It has now been agreed by our company. underwriters to introduce a new age bracket This policy will work both ways, for people from 80 to 90 years. from the Island to travel to the United Kingdom 2) The daily premium in this bracket will and anyone travelling to the Isle of Man. be from £3.00 per day and they will offer a If you feel you want to support this facility maximum of 14 days cover for any one trip. to travel to the UK please ring Mann Link on 3) No annual policy will be available in telephone (01624) 663377. this age group. The Chairman once again thanks Mr Kelly 4) However there will be no limit to the for all his help in this very important matter to number of 1-14 day policies an individual can the people of the Island. purchase in a 12 months period. Incidentally, some elements of the report that 5) There are no changes to the pre-existing Tynwald voted for, no longer holds, as the last medical exclusion requirement. page in the report explaining insurance, is now 6) Travellers in the age group 0-79 can obsolete because of the above negotiations by now also purchase at 50% additional premium, the Chairman, they have been superseded, a further £10,000 in medical expenses, to a completely altered, and irrelevant. maximum of £20,000 in health cover. 7) Of course it would be up to the person concerned to take the £10,000 or buy and add Join us the extra £10,000 cover we are the Group that gets things done 8) Six and Seven above can be purchased Pick up the phone and ring for a single trip or for an annual policy. Naturally the amount payable will reflect this. Jan on (01624) 613702 9) The repatriation allowance remains the We also need your help same, i.e. up to £30,000. 10) The bringing back of a body or ashes in the event of a death will also remain the same, The Last Laugh i.e. up to £2,500. Are we a Nation or just a nonentity? 11) This means that everyone on the Isle The Minister for Health and Social Security of Man, can now get health insurance to Mr Teare confirmed in the House in November, travel to the United Kingdom, from birth till that his Department had indeed been talking to 90 years of age, with a maximum health the Scottish Government, who had shown an cover of £20,000 if they so desire. Provided it interest in having a Reciprocal Health complies with the above amendments. Agreement with the Isle of Man. The Chairman of the Friends of the Manx The Speaker of the House Mr Rodan pointed Diabetic would like to thank Mr Brian Kelly of out that the offer had come six months ago and Medical Health Plus for getting his that negotiations had still not began. Why? underwriters to understand the requirements of Mr Teare explained that he was still awaiting the Manx people as put to him, and raising the confirmation from the UK as to whether the age limit and the health cover on their insurance Government of Scotland could enter into a policy. Reciprocal Health Agreement with the Isle of What must be realised is that if after a year Man. this does not work, and the underwriters feel It shows the contempt the British that there is no return on this cover facilities, Government has for the Island when after six then they will probably pull out of offering the months they have still not answered a simple policy to Island residents. question. Surely it’s up to the Scottish Government to The Petition read: - tell our Government whether they can or not. “We the undersigned, demand that the Are we a Nation or are we the slaves of the Government do something to remedy the British Government and they can do whatever anomaly created by the rescinding of the they like to us? Reciprocal Health Agreement, and act as If we are a Nation we should be able to enter underwriters to the people of the Isle of Man into agreements with whomsoever we like. at reasonable rates to ensure that the Manx If we are a Nation why must we consult the people and visitors to the Island can travel to UK Government every time we want to do and from the UK with impunity”. anything? Those who took time out to come and sign Are we now a Nation that needs the UK the petition were snubbed by their government permission to run our affairs? and appeared to be dismissed as irrelevant. Are we a Nation, or do we have to go cap in Yet there was someone who had a free vote, hand for permission from the British but because they belonged to a department they Government for everything we do, when in voted with the Government. return they will treat us like muck, until we are They, like all those that voted against the ripe for a takeover? people should be voted out of the House of Are we a Nation, or has the British Keys at the next election. Government already taken us over by stealth? The people vented their anger on MHK’s What kind of National Government have we when signing the petition, but what they said got that is impotent in its own decisions? was dismissed by the Court as hearsay, which Let no one ever say again that we are a of course we accept the Court’s decision. NATION, we are a NONENTITY if we are Yet, Mr Teare quoted hearsay himself, but not even in charge of our own destiny. that didn’t matter, nobody complained. If they didn’t believe the Chairman, they should look at the websites of the press and get IF THIS IS NOT THE LAST to know what the people are thinking about LAUGH, WHAT IS? them, and what they intend doing to all those Sorry its at the wrong end of The Diabetic MHK’s that voted against the petition or appeared to walk out of the Chamber, when it comes to the ballot box. The Chairman would like to take this Manx Government Ignores opportunity to thank all those who signed the wishes of the Manx People. petition and supported him. The Manx Government backed by the members of departments and MLC’s threw out a 900 plus signature petition organised by the Chairman of the Friends of the Manx Diabetic and supported by the Manx people. It was also supported by Charitable Groups on the Island on behalf of their members. This gave the petition well over a thousand five hundred signatures. Mrs Brenda Williams, Mrs J Ramagge and the Chairman collecting signatures in Strand Street

All but six MHKs and all MLCs wash their hand of the people. YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. All MHK’s and MLC’s as listed at the end of this report, voted for the motion as put Manx residents signing the petition forward by the Minister for Health and Social Security Mr Eddie Teare. So that you know what his motion stated, and This is the red herring that they continue to who voted for you, and who voted against you use to try and confuse you with what is really here it is verbatim. The italics are the happening. Chairman’s comments. The DHSS then has the cheek to say. “That Tynwald notes that as from 1st April (b) That the Department undertakes these 2010 the United Kingdom Department of actions. Health will no longer provide a reciprocal (i) Seeks to replace the contribution currently health agreement under which the Isle of Man made by the UK Doh to the DHSS budget residents visiting the United Kingdom will bearing in mind that the recovery of funds from receive free health care, except for the patients is expected to fall significantly below provision of GP services and treatment at the allowance given by the UK for the Accident and Emergency facilities. treatment of their residents whilst visiting the As a consequence, the report of the Isle of Man. Department entitled “The Ending of the What the DHSS are paying out in health care Reciprocal Health Agreement between the across is still the same as they have been United Kingdom and the Isle of Man” be paying before, it is what they are getting back received by Tynwald and its recommendations from the UK Government that will be missing, approved”. and this has nothing to do with you. This is old hat, and the public was aware of The reality is that the UK has been paying this situation at least from October last year much much more, to cover their patients in (2008), but the DHSS had done nothing about hospital here than was actually due for having this, as an extension was given to our these patients hospitalised. In the above Government of an extra year from notification. statement even the Minister admits this An amendment was put to Tynwald that this imbalance clause should be reconsidered as the report The department does not have to ask said nothing and was devoid of proper permission for the replacement of contributions resolutions and recommendations. This was the from Tynwald to do this, they should be doing basis of Mr Rodan’s amendment and seconded this as a matter of course, and they should have by Mr Houghton which was thrown out by your been sorting this out since the British elected members. Government initially gave them the heave ho. (a) That from April 1st 2010, the payment of What have they been doing since then? any NHS charges incurred by Manx residents Nothing. visiting the UK is an individual responsibility. In any event as already pointed out by the This is what your elected members voted for. Minister the allowance the Government will You are on your own. They ignored the petition receive from insurance for UK people using and all those of you that expressed your wishes Noble’s, will be well below that which the UK in the press. They were not interested in what Government gave the Isle of Man. It will be you had to say. Your elected members, except equivalent to the realistic subsidy that the UK those that voted against this clause, told you, Government should have been paying all along you were on your own. They should not be and not £2.9 million. No wonder they wanted voted in again. Remember, your treatment by out. them in Tynwald warrants similar treatment by Why should the UK pay more than the actual you at the Ballot Box. expenditure incurred by their own people And further that the department of Health requiring hospitalisation on the Island? Would and Social Security will continue to cover the you not have stopped it also? costs associated with any medical referrals off The deal is now off because of the imbalance island for Isle of Man residents. of the agreement, so our DHSS must wake up to Of course they have to continue to send reality. patients across, they have no option because (ii) Ensures that all Manx residents travelling the DHSS do not have the facilities here. to the UK are aware that if they require Otherwise they would make you pay for this emergency treatment in the UK which requires also. admission, it will be given but they will have to pay for it, either personally or through travel insurance. Again here we have our Government, the Yet the DHSS, six months later could not DHSS and all the MHK’s that voted for the report back to Tynwald with what they had above clause, washing their hands of all the done. Why? (See the last laugh above). Manx people. They have done nothing to (v) Continue to support developments in the resolve this matter other than tell us all “you Insurance industry. have to pay” either by yourself or through This is very commendable, but the fact insurance. The truth of the matter is that they remains that well over 1,500 people supported have not progressed from the bottom line. the petition for the Government to act as What are the elected members elected for, if underwriters and not private insurance not to look after the Manx people that elected companies. them. They cannot just wash their hands of What the people wanted was for the them and hope to be re-elected. Government to act as underwriters, then The Chief Minister on more than one everyone could go across and not just the occasion said in Tynwald “we must work in the selected few that the insurance companies public interest” and then he votes against the would condescend to give insurance to, and public interest of the people. those with problems, young and old that would Compassion for their own people should have to stay incarcerated on the Island, if the have been the order of the day, which was Chairman had not personally intervened. blatantly missing from the Government benches (vi) Continues dialogue and information- and their backers. sharing with the Channel Islands The Government has a duty of care to its Unbelievable, if in Tynwald everyone was people which must be enforced by them. That is blaming Jersey for being the culpit of this the primary mandate of their constituents at debacle. Why consult them? What words of their election. wisdom are they going to impart for our Mr If there is no compassion you live and die in Teare and the DHSS to follow? Or have they ignorance. already done so and the DHSS wants to keep (iii) Proposes amendments to the NHS Act their approach under wraps? Beyond 2001 as necessary. comprehension! A cliché springs to mind. The Minister stood up and said they did not (vii) Continue a public awareness campaign on need to bring in new legislation, of course not, the Isle of Man. what he is going to do is to amend the existing They have already been given a public Health Act to ensure that the DHSS is off the awareness position by the Manx people in a hook, and instead of the Health Act saying the sample petition of some 1,500 Manx people, so DHSS pays for your Health, it will now say the why didn’t they do something about it? people pay, and you will pay. Or as usual are they going to spend copious If you complain, all they will say is “we have amounts of money, employ consultants from no responsibility, it’s in the Health Act that you across to find the awareness of the people, have to pay which exonerates us”. Again they when they already have been given it at no cost, and their hangers on will be voting against and they threw it in the bin. your interests. If they still have no idea of the awareness of As usual it is a question of semantics and the Manx people they should not be in the pulling the wool over your eyes, it is not “new Chamber, and pontificate on what they are not legislation”, it will be “an amendment to the aware of. existing Health Act, so that you will have to (viii) Conducts specific insurance-awareness pay”. campaign for sports, cultural, trade and other (iv) Clarifies the position and continues organisations and for other Government dialogue with the other devolved Departments. administrations within the UK Jurisdiction. How much money is all this going to cost? Remember they were told about the (they haven’t done any costing yet) Also how rescinding of the Reciprocal Health Agreement much money is all these interdepartmental two years ago. Two years have elapsed and meetings going to cost? Mr Teare will be in again they have done nothing about this even Tynwald shortly asking for money for all this. though at the last April Tynwald, Mr Teare was No doubt when the TT and sporting events told in no uncertain manner to look into this. come along everybody coming over will be made an exception by the Government and be Mrs Brenda Cannell MHK (Douglas East) given free access to Noble’s without insurance. Mr Peter Karran MHK (Lib Vannin. As usual some will be more equal than their Onchan) own people. Mr David Cannan (Michael) (ix) Address any ongoing or emerging detailed Mr Quintin Gill (Rushen) aspects of the ending of the Agreement, through The Following are the MHK’s who voted the DHSS Reciprocal Agreement Sub-group against you and for the Minister’s proposal. chaired by the Minister for Health. Mr Brown MHK Castletown. Bingo! It’s that man again. They have not Mr Teare MHK Ayre been able to detail anything in the report, but Mr Quirk MHK Onchan he will save us from the jaws of death. The Mr Earnshaw MHK Onchan DHSS has not been able to come up with Mr Crookall MHK Peel anything positive after deliberations for some Mr Anderson MHK Glenfaba nineteen months. The Manx people could be Mrs Craine MHK Ramsey incarcerated on the Island for good, and yet Mr Mr Bell MHK Ramsey Teare is now once again going to save us. Mr Qualye MHK Middle Manx Radio said he was the man with his Mr Marlarkey MHK Douglas South finger on the pulse, but the Chairman rang and Mr Braidwood MHK Douglas East pointed out to Mr Stewart Peters that the Mr Corkish MHK Douglas West patient was already dead, and therefore had no Mr Shimmin MHK Douglas West pulse. Mr Cretney MHK Douglas South Mr Watterson MHK Rushen So now you know what your MHK’s voted Mr Gawne MHK. Rushen for, a minefield to which no one has put any There were 16 votes for and 6 against. thought to, does not answer the pertinent Two members did not vote. questions, or put forward tangible resolutions. However there was one MHK that left the The report wins the highest accolade in Chamber so did not vote either way The gobbledygook. other was not present in Tynwald that day. Please note, that the motion did not mention Here are the MLC’s that voted against that the DHSS would continue to negotiate with you and in favour of the Ministers proposal. the British Government, or any details that they The Lord Bishop had in fact argued the toss with the British Mr Callister MLC Government. Mr Teare, his department and the Mr Crowe MLC Government just threw in the towel. Mr Downie MLC The following are the Members who voted in Mrs Christian MLC the House of Keys and who voted for and Mr Lowey MLC against you and one who was out of the Mr Waft MLC Chamber at the vote. Mr Butt MLC I spoke with one of them who told me he was There were 8 votes for the motion and none a member of the department of the DHSS and against from the Council. therefore had to vote with the Government and could not vote for the people that elected him, You now know what to do at the Ballot Box. even though we understand he had a free vote. He was categorically told that he had not been voted in to be a member of any department but to look after the interests of his constituents and they had told him what to do. It fell on deaf ears. He voted with the Government. But he will get his comeuppance at the Ballot Box. Hospital sign in Nigeria Those who voted with you were:

Mr John Houghton MHK. (Douglas North) As an interlude before we tackle the debate and Mr Steve Rodan MHK (Garff) Speaker of give you quotes of who said what, here is the House something to bring a smile to your face and get ordinators, ten Assistant Managers, 12 Heads of you out of your gloom. Section, fifteen divisional heads, fifty Secretaries and dozens of Civil Service Clerks, and nobody noticed that they had disappeared. The Lion and the Civil Service Then one day I made the mistake of my life, Following our last Newsletter when we because on that day I ate the Tea Lady that brought to your notice the meetings system of served elevenses, they immediately found out the Civil Service, we have received the that she was missing, as they couldn’t get their following story from a reader of The Diabetic tea and cakes, raised the alarm, and they in Bucharest in Romania who reads us on our captured me, so here I am. website. He says that: - Drat it, I’d been doing so well”. “Two lions escaped from the Zoo. As they We must thank our internet reader from escaped, each one went their separate ways. Bucharest in Romania who has hit the nail on One made a beeline for the Jungle and the the head, for his accurate reflection of the other made his way to the Centre of town. situation. The zoo staff hunted high and low, but were Keep them coming. unable to recaptured them. After a month, and to everyone’s surprise the Lion that fled to the Jungle returned to the zoo of his own volition. He was thin, dehydrated and in very poor condition. He was immediately put back into his original compound. For over eight months, everyone had given up on the Lion that had fled to the Centre of Town, until one day the lion was captured and Road sign in Nigeria taken back to the Zoo. He was in tremendous condition appeared to The Debate, quotes and who said be extremely well fed, his fur was shinny, in the what best of health, and full of energy. For obvious reasons we cannot bring you the Again he was returned to his original whole debate, so we will just bring you a quote compound with his friend the lion that had from everyone that took part. escaped to the Jungle. The Jungle lion asked Again any Italics will be the Chairman’s. him: Mr Teare. “How did you manage to stay in the Centre “If the department was to provide the of the City so long without being discovered? I necessary resources to cover emergency went to the Jungle and had to return after a medical costs of Manx residents in the UK, this month, as I could not find enough to eat. would involve extending the duty of the The other Lion explained, “It took courage department to provide NHS services outside the my friend, but I hid in one of the Government Isle of Man”. Ministries and every day I ate an employee of What they seem to continue to miss is that the the Government, but no one noticed that they people would be paying them insurance to them were missing”. so it wouldn’t cost them anything. In fact they “So why were you recaptured, did the would be making a profit. Government employees run out?” asked the What about their duty of care to the Manx jungle lion. people that elected them? What he is going to “Run out? It was nothing like that, do is amend the Health Act, so that it becomes Government employees are interminable, they legal for you to pay and for the DHSS not to never end, they don’t run out, they are pay, so they are off the hook. constantly replaced and their personnel Mr Teare of course voted against the increased, its just that, I committed a very grave adjournment. error. Mr Rodan Look, I had already eaten a Director General, two Superintendents, five Managers, three co- “Mr President, I would say that there is much Mr David Callister MLC merit in this Hon. Court adjourning the debate “I agree that there should be an adjournment until February next year to give the Department on this matter, and I think the Manx public a clear message from Tynwald Court that we would not thank us if we just went ahead today. expect further action to be taken on behalf of They are not going to thank us for saying ‘Well the Manx People”. that’s it, you’re on your own’”. Mr Rodan’s adjournment was the sensible How right Mr Callister was, and how sad we thing to do but was voted down. were that he could not carry his conviction Mr Rodan voted for the adjournment. through when he voted for the motion.. Mr Houghton Mr Callister voted for the adjournment. Mr Houghton seconded Mr Rodan’s The Hon Tony Brown proposed adjournment. He explained what the The Chief Minister was of the opinion that an sample petition taken by the Chairman from the adjournment would not help because it would Manx people was, and said “I would like very create uncertainty he said “If Tynwald in much to present this petition this morning, Mr February makes a decision you will have six President to the Minister for Health and Social weeks before the agreement is ending”. Security”. By implication he admitted that there was no Mr Houghton voted for the adjournment decision. Surely if they had two years to Mr Brown, Chief Minister produce a report with no substance they could “Point of order. Mr President I thought we have waited until February to see if they could have Standing Orders to control how have found some semblance of an answer and a procedures worked in this Hon Court and I did proper resolution for a proper decision to be not know this was one of them”. taken. However the Speaker ruled the petition was As already pointed out Mr Brown voted against in order and the petition could be presented, the adjournment. nonetheless he ruled that the letter submitted by Mrs Christian MLC the Chairman of what the people had said when “If there is an adjournment and even if there signing, be ruled out as hearsay. The petition is not, there is still an awful lot of work to be was duly presented. done to develop these areas which are of However in his intervention Mr Houghton concern to the population of the Island. did in fact quote from the Chairman’s letter Mrs Christian enumerated the pitfalls that Mr Brown voted against the adjournment the Manx residents would be faced with when Mr Teare going into a hospital in the UK. There really is Mr Teare felt that there was no need to an awful lot of work to be done, but, postpone a decision on the motion “I feel that Mrs Christian nonetheless voted against the we should get on with it and do it and decide adjournment. the way forward now sir”. Mr Earnshaw The problem was that there was nothing to “I would urge Hon Members, Mr President to get on with at that point in time, no way support the Minister. Do not support the forward, so logically we could not understand amendment. If he thinks he can find a solution I his comments as there was no decision to take. am quite confident he will”. The report did not even warrant consideration. We would respectfully inform Mr Earnshaw Mr Teare voted against the adjournment that the Minister has had two years to “find a Mrs Cannell solution” and by Mr Earnshaw’s admission has Mrs Brenda Cannell spoke for the not found one. What makes him think that in the adjournment and the fact that nothing tangible short time that’s left his friend will find one? had been done by the DHSS to resolve the issue Mr Earnshaw voted against the adjournment both locally and in the UK. She ended up by Mr Cannan saying, Mr Cannan in not supporting the “Well I am saying no, It ain’t over till the fat adjournment, explained that it was the British lady sings and I have not heard that lady sing Government that had made up its mind and yet”. that, Mrs Cannell voted for the adjournment

“It was not just to the Isle of Man, its to This is absolutely correct, it comes down to Jersey, Guernsey, Gibraltar and the Crown the compassion of the many for the few. You Colonies”. cannot loose sight of what you were elected for, The Chairman spoke with Mr Cannan and to look after all those that need looking after, brought to his notice that the rescinding of the not the majority that can look after themselves. Reciprocal Health Agreement did not affect Mr Gill voted for the adjournment. Gibraltar, as Gibraltar is part of the EU and Mr Henderson they have the EH1C (old E111) and their “What did the Committee do, or what do citizens can travel in the UK without problems. they propose to do, in the next month or two?” Mr Cannan voted against the adjournment. That is the sixty four thousand dollar Mr Quayle question. What have they done over the past Speaking about the United Kingdom said “I do two years, and what do they expect to achieve not see how they are realistically going to do a over the next five month? Mr Henderson and different agreement for the Isle of Man, everyone else wants an answer, compared to the Channel Islands, so I will be Mr Henderson voted against the adjournment. voting against the adjournment. Mr Downie MLC Mr Quayle appears to be unawares of what the “One of the things that I have liked to have UK Government has told the DHSS on the heard today was actually how many people this rescinding of the Reciprocal Health Agreement. will affect”. Mr Quayle voted against the adjournment. No one can tell him, because as usual, the Mr Malarkey DHSS does not know and nobody knows .What “We are aware that certain people are going The Diabetic can tell him is, that according to to be hit very hard”. the last census there were 6,141 people between No comment. So even if they are hit very the ages of 76 and 95 plus living on the Island. hard, Now with the Chairman agreement we have to Mr Malarkey voted against the adjournment. look to help the 90 plus, that will be affected. Mr Karran Mr Downie voted against the adjournment. In his address Mr Karran explained why he Mr Rodan was voting against the adjournment. He said he In closing Mr Rodan enumerated the pros would be putting forward a solution to the and cons of the debate on the adjournment and problem in the main debate, saying “This report emphasised that, reminds me of the American System, if you are “The purpose of an adjournment is to allow up, you are up; if you are down, you are down a better-informed debate that will test the and we do not care. That is not what we want”. options”. Mr Karran voted against the adjournment. He was correct because the motion as Mr Crowe MLC proposed by the Minister for the DHSS did not “But I think we cannot delay. We have so explain what has been going on during the past much work to do in the few months available two years and what they intend doing about it, and we have no luxury of time, so I would ask either locally or in diplomatic channels. The that you do not approve the adjournment”. report did not provoke confidence or put Luxury of time? So much work to do? we had forward resolutions to the problems in hand. two years to resolve all this, if ‘we have so Mr Rodan voted for the adjournment. much work to do’ why hasn’t all this been done The Speaker then called for a vote and the already? What are we going to achieve at the adjournment was defeated. eleventh hour if we couldn’t do it before? The following MHK’s voted for the Mr Crowe voted against the adjournment adjournment. Mr Gill Mr Quirk MHK Onchan “The DHSS Minister thinks, and his Mr Houghton MHK Douglas North department thinks, it is inequitable-for all to Mrs Cannell MHK Douglas East pay for the services of some. That Sir, is what Mr Braidwood MHK Douglas East the welfare state is about. We pay taxes to pay Mr Corkish MHK Douglas West for the needs of others that is the whole basis of Mr Gill MHK Rushen it”. Mr Rodan. MHK (Speaker) Garff

The Following MHK’s voted against the Mr Karran voted against the DHSS motion. adjournment. Mr Cannan Mr Earnshaw MHK Onchan He brought to the notice of the Chamber the Mr Karran MHK Lib Vannin Onchan many problems that would exist with the Mr Brown MHK Castletown cancellation of the reciprocal health agreement Mr Crookall MHK Peel and felt that the only solution was the motion Mr Anderson MHK Glenfaba that he was putting forward which read. “and Mrs Craine MHK Ramsey further that Tynwald is of the opinion that the Mr Bell MHK Ramsey Isle of Man Government should cover the costs Mr Quayle MHK Middle of (a) Isle of Man residents receiving NHS Mr Teare MHK Ayre treatment in the United Kingdom; and (b) Mr Cannan MHK Michael United Kingdom residents receiving NHS Mr Henderson MHK Douglas North treatment in the Isle of Man”. This motion was Mr Marlarkey MHK Douglas South seconded and voted on, but again was lost. Mr Shimmin MHK Douglas West Mr Cannan voted against the DHSS motion. Mr Waterson MHK Rushen Mr Houghton Mr Gawne MHK Rushen Mr Houghton once again quoted the petition In the Keys it was 7 votes for the and the anxiety that was being felt by the adjournment and 15 against. people. He put to Tynwald that he was of the In the Council, the MLC’s voted like this. opinion that the solution to the problem should For the adjournment be that the authorities on both sides of the Mr Callister MLC water should pay for the hospitalisation of their Against the adjournment nationals, because if we didn’t do that, he The Lord Bishop pointed out “It will be the end of tourism as we Mr Crowe MLC know it”. Mr Downie MLC He called on the Attorney General for a reply Mrs Christian MLC to a copy of an e-mail he had been given by the Mr Lowey MLC Chairman and Mr Houghton had passed on. Mr Waft MLC Mr Houghton voted against the DHSS motion Mr Butt MLC Attorney General In the Council 1 MLC voted for the He explained that the e-mail was from Susi adjournment and 7 against. Alegre a lawyer consultant on human rights to So the adjournment was lost. Penny Creighton and Henry Ramagge and that We now come to the actual debate on the it read “I think that it would be worth asking in motion as presented by the Minister for Health Tynwald whether or not they have asked the and Social Security Mr Teare, which was UK government to carry out an equalities and kicked off by Mr Karran. human rights impact assessment, as age is one Mr Karran of the equalities” The Attorney General In his address Mr Karran proposed a solution explained “I do not think that Tynwald or the to the problem we are all facing with a counter department is exposed to any Human Rights motion to that presented by Mr Teare. His Challenge”. motion read “And is of the opinion that the The idea was for the Government to Council of Ministers should consider the challenge the UK Government and not to imposition of a levy on all sea and travel off challenge themselves. Subsequent on this Mr Island to pay for a compulsory insurance Houghton has once again raised the matter scheme for medical treatment in the UK: and with the Attorney General in the House. further of the opinion that no charges should be The Attorney General does not vote. levied on visitors to the Island for healthcare Mrs Cannell during their stay.” Mrs Cannel agreed that the question was to As usual anything proposed by Mr Karran, be put to the UK Government and not the Isle of whether it is good for the Island or not is Man Government on the above issue. “I believe thrown out. There was not even one member to that that is a really sound case for standing our second his motion which therefore was not put ground and fighting this! If we come away with to the vote. a bloody nose, we come away with a bloody nose. If we have to make the changes, we have If that is the case, if those who Govern us to make the changes. But I do not believe that have no hope, have abandoned all hope that we should be just surrendering!” they can at least achieve some sort of change She said it all, we should not surrender. however small, in the interest of the Manx Speaking on the proposed change to people, then what hope have we ordinary legislation of the Health Act Mrs Cannell asked mortals got? the Minister for Health “So what changes does Mr Henderson did not vote as he was out of the the department believe are necessary? Why do Chamber at the time the vote was taken. they want to? Is it so they can charge? Why? Mr Waft MLC There is a lot of detail that is missing”. Mr Waft was of the opinion that we should The report as we have told the Minister and not pussyfoot with the UK because the DHSS the Chief Minister is wishy washy and has no kept banding about reciprocity with the health substance, and he intends changing the Health authorities in the UK, yet whenever it suits the Act to be able to legally charge the Manx UK they have no reciprocity, as he put it “ residents and make them pay, which as it stands Reciprocity seems to have gone out of the the DHSS cannot do. window. He was “fully appreciative of the fact Mrs Cannell voted against the DHSS motion. that we cannot do anything about it”. The Lord Bishop This appeared to be the underlying theme “I do not think there is any disagreement in amongst all members of the Chamber from the the Court that there is an absolute that we Chief Minister down, that stood up to express should support the weak and the vulnerable. their views. There is nothing we can do, They matter. It is not negotiable that they need everyone except the magnificent six, were to be protected. prepared to roll over and be stabbed in the No Comment. Most commendable. Except, if back. this is correct why vote for something that will Mr Waft voted for the DHSS motion. cast adrift the weak and the vulnerable Manx The Chief Minister people. At this juncture the Chief Minister intervened The Lord Bishop voted for the DHSS to explain certain aspects of the rescinding of motion. the reciprocal health agreement, he enumerated The President of Tynwald at this juncture the realities of the situation and emphasised adjourned the proceedings till after lunch. that “Unfortunately, the Health Service in the When proceedings resumed the first member UK has decided – the United Kingdom to speak was Mr Watterson. Government – that they are ending the Mr Watterson agreement. We have no say in that”. “I am not alone in saying I am not happy Have we had our tongues pulled out? Have with this report..…I think the people of the Isle we lost the power of speech? Have we lost the of Man need certainty…..They need to know power to reason or argue for our people? If we that the government is working hard on their are to have the privilege to lead our people we behalf. That is something that is not blatantly must be prepared to die for our people. evident in the Report”. His address was quite extensive and detailed, This is something we all seem to agree with and he apologised to members saying “All I and understand, except the DHSS and those would say is I am sorry that members do not that voted for the DHSS motion. feel that the information in the Report provides Mr Watterson voted for the DHSS motion. them with the fullest of information”. This was Mr Henderson the understatement of the day. That was Mr Henderson enumerated what the UK precisely why the adjournment had been tabled Government had done and in his opinion there7 by Mr Rodan, because the report said nothing. was no way out of the present impasse, Mr Brown ended by saying that he hoped because a decision had been taken by the UK members would support the motion, a motion Government and there was no way back. His that he had apologised for, and that did not address was full of gloom, doom and provide them with the fullest of information. despondency. He said that he had spoken with Mr Brown voted for the DHSS motion. many Members who’s opinion was “they have Mr Gill done this, tough, we just roll over”. “We might be saying most people, most of the attempt to deal with observations and the time, will be able to pay, but there will be a reservations of Hon. Members”. significant, possibly a majority, who will not be Please note that he said he would ‘attempt’, able to travel, will not be able to get cover, will not that he would deal with. not be able to afford that cover, and what are Mr Teare has been saved by the we going to do about them. The answer, as far announcement at the same Tynwald of the Loss as the department is concerned is “Well, we of £140 million pounds which now appears to will keep thinking about it”. be taking precedence to the Rescinding of the Mr Gill hit the nail on the head. Since the Reciprocal Health Agreement. debate, The Chairman has resolved this Everything now will be, we can’t do this, we problem for the DHSS, everyone can now have can’t do that, because of the financial loss, and insurance from the moment you are born on the hide behind it. Island till you are 90. From 90 plus it’s up to Well, The Diabetic will not accept the new the Government now to resolve their problem. excuse that we have lost 140 million in VAT, Mr Gill voted against the DHSS motion. and have to tighten our belts, as this deficit will Mr Braidwood be covered from outside sources in the coming Mr Braidwood went through the scenario year. that existed and called for more information on On 1st January 2010 the VAT reverts to the report as to numbers of people affected. He 17.5% this will knock off the 40 million they was of the opinion that members in the house have lost. Leaving them with £100 million to were able to pay for insurance even if like find. himself, who had health problems. Though he Then in the Budget because they need felt “that the DHSS is only a conduit of the money, the UK Government is going to put up working group, I feel that we have to go along the Vat to 20%, This is another 40 million that with the recommendations in the report”. will leave them with £60 million to find. What recommendation? ‘You’re on your The EU under the Lisbon Treaty has own’? Everything on the other side was all the already discussed in the European Parliament colour of the glass that each Member when they to standardise the VAT amongst all member stood up was looking through. countries, which will go up to twenty two and Mr Braidwood voted for the DHSS motion. a half per cent. Mr Karran This will give the Government another 40 Mr Karran demanded to be heard again and million, leaving them with just 20 million to was allowed as he had intervened previously find. This is going to be the real deficit. as a speaker to the amendment of Mr Cannan. Of course this is provided the British He said. “Well my national parliament has Government does not claw back another 100 reminded me more of a playground at a primary million and leave them where they started off, school today, because I will be perfectly honest which is what is probably going to happen. with you, this is an insult -- an insult -- if you Mr Teare of course voted for his motion. are supposed to be national politicians.” Mr The President then called for a vote on the Karran berated the report and said “ Mr Teare motion as presented by Mr Cannan and and the Council of Ministers should resign and seconded by Mrs Cannell, that the Manx the rest of you should go to a general election”. Government should pay for all Manx residents Unfortunately this is not going to happen, as being hospitalised whilst travelling in the UK, they well know that if they went to a General and UK residents whilst travelling to the Isle of Election they would not be re-elected. Man who need hospitalisation. Mr Karran voted against the DHSS motion. A division was called and the vote was as Mr Teare follows. Mr Teare wound up the debate. For Mr Cannan’s amendment. The Minister for Health and Social Security Mr Karran MHK Lib Vannin Onchan made the closing address in support of his Mr Cannan MHK Michael motion and promised that he had “taken Mr Houghton MHK Douglas North copious notes and my colleagues in the Mrs Cannel Douglas East Department have been doing likewise. We will Mr Gill Rushen look at the notes and also Hansard, and we will Mr Rodan MHK Speaker Garff Against the amendment. It has emerged that some £7 million was Mr Quirk MHK Onchan owed to hospitals in London last year, much of Mr Earnshaw MHK Onchan it by non EU patients not paying for their stay Mr Brown MHK Castletown and treatment. Mr Crookall MHK Peel Substitute non EU patients with UK Mr Anderson MHK Glenfaba patients without insurance, and that is what Mrs Craine MHK Ramsey could be happening here. Mr Bell MHK Ramsey It is understood that the West Middlesex Mr Quayle MHK Middle University Hospital is demanding payment up Mr Teare MHK Ayre front. Mr Malarkey MHK Douglas South Is this what is going to happen to Manx Mr Braidwood MHK Douglas East patients when they have to go into a UK Mr Corkish MHK Douglas West Hospital, are they going to ask us for money Mr Shimmin MHK Douglas West up front? Mr Cretney MHK Douglas South Conversely, Mr Watterson. MHK Rushen Is our DHSS going to do the same with Mr Gawne MHK Rushen anyone from the UK having to he Mr Hendersom was not present in the Chamber hospitalised at Noble’s? and therefore did not vote. It appears that Doctors across are using what It failed in the Keys by 16 votes to 6. they term a ‘Stabilise and discharge scheme’ In the Council to deal with each patient from a non-EU For the Amendment country to ensure they are not in danger. Mr Waft MLC By the way as from April’s Fools day 2010 Mr Butt MLC this will include us. We are a non-EU Against the amendment country, therefore a non-EU patient. The Lord Bishop Anyway they are then told what treatment Mr Callister MLC they require, and those who cannot pay are Mr Crowe MLC refused treatment and asked to leave. Some Mr Downie MLC pay, some leave, and go back home as sick as Mrs Christian MLC they came into A & E. Mr Lowey MLC You know what that’s going to mean for It failed in the council by 6 votes to 2. us going to UK, and those coming over --- no As no one had seconded the other dosh ---- on your bike. amendments they were not voted on. A spokesman said “we have saved around The vote on the DHSS motion as presented £700,000 pounds in a year using this system.” by Mr Teare the Minister for Health and Social Bully for them. Our DHSS that follows Security has been dealt with under the article everything the UK does will probably be “All but six MHK’s and all MLC’s washed doing the same here. their hands of the people. You are on your “We have a responsibility to safeguard free own”, at the beginning of the Newsletter. NHS treatment for those who are entitled to it” the spokesman emphasised. The operative phrase is “For those who are entitled to it”. Remember we will NOT BE ENTITLED TO IT. So anyone not an EU resident is not entitled to free NHS treatment. We used to be entitled to free NHS treatment, but not as from 1st April 2010. We Advert in Nigeria shall be classified as non EU patients. Someone else who can’t do their sums! If you don’t believe The Diabetic, asked Mr Teare, what is he doing about it? Whilst you are at it, ask your MHK if he Is this going to happen here? or she voted to tell you, YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN, why they voted against you? We put into hospital here or there, operated on, and asked an MHK after the vote, and he said ‘It then be told they have no insurance and no was terrible wasn’t it’ money. What would our Government do So why did he Vote against the people, if it incarcerate the old dear in Nobles until was terrible? He couldn’t answer the someone coughs up the money? It would take question. Out with him next time round. time to sell their house to pay for their LIKE THEY USED TO SAY IN THE hospitalisation. OPENING SEQUENCE OF ‘HILL STREET Or refuse to operate if they have no insurance BLUES’,------BE SAFE AND TAKE CARE and no money and let them die? OUT THERE: BECAUSE IF YOU DON’T, Or maybe introduce here the ‘Stabilise and NOBODY WILL. Discharge Scheme’ that the UK has in operation. For the full assessment of the Chairman predictions, and solutions at the AGM on 17th October 2008 please go to our website at www.diabetes.org.im click on Newsletters, and then go to the December 2008 newsletter, read it and weep.

Road sign in Nigeria

Passports The question of having to travel to the UK showing your passports has once again raised its head, which you already have to do anyway on departure from the Island and when booking Road sign in Nigeria in across, or some other form of identification. Like they did to us demanding our passports on 19th November at Liverpool. Even though a The Christmas Message certain member of the Government was Wow! Another year gone and almost the end adamant you did not need to do so. He should of the first decade of the new millennia, I’m go to Liverpool and see for himself. Again out sure I’m not alone in wondering where the time of touch. goes. The Chairman of the Friends of the Manx Diabetic would just like to bring to your notice that he brought out all these problems facing the Island at the groups AGM on 17th October 2008, when the Rescinding of the Reciprocal Health Agreement was first mooted by the DHSS, even though they had been told a year earlier. There were 39 quote points in the Newsletter in his prediction in addition to resolutions.

He even said quote: - The Rev. John Guilford “6) It would maybe eventually come to the old Trustee, Friends of the Manx Diabetic Big Brother system in the old days, when visas were in operation. You could be refused I’ve always been interested in Political boarding to and from the Isle of Man if you do Philosophy and I’ve had a number of occasions not have valid insurance, just to cover the NHS throughout this past year that has caused me to in the UK and the DHSS here.” Unquote. ponder on that discipline. On one occasion I No Government will eventually risk people was reminded of a comment by that great coming to the Island or going to the UK, being philosopher of this present age, Bill Maynard (aka Claude Greengrass) in an early episode of our community viz-a-viz the ending of the ‘Heartbeat’, when asked, ‘what is reciprocal health agreement in 2010 I am given Communism?’ Replied, ‘people who have nowt just one example of the work needed to get wanting the same for everybody else!’ closer to the community Jesus had in mind for Now I grew up in the 1960s, when the West us. Of course budgets are important, of course cast anxious glances at the might of the Soviet there is no bottomless pit of money, but for all Union, when Communist China was a country of us the starting point should be compassion to be feared, when we saw the McCarthy and together you never know what we might inspired Communist witch hunts in the USA achieve. and I remember a lot of people remarking that This festive season let us give some real Jesus Christ was, in fact, a Communist! This thought as to why Jesus came. I wish you a consequently led to a number of protest songs wonderful Christmas and a happy, peaceful and of the age; one I particularly remember was healthy New Year. ‘Would Jesus Wear A Rolex?’ by Ray Stevens. • ‘Would Jesus Wear A Rolex?’ At the time I guess I could see some sense in Taken from the 1987 MCA Album what people were saying, but as I became more ‘Ray Stevens Greatest Hits Volume interested in Theology and started to take a 2’. closer look, not only at what Jesus taught, but also at the nature and the ethos behind the early • Biblical References taken from Christian communities created by St Paul and others, it became clear to me that Communist NRSV with Apocrypha. ideology played little part in it. The coming of the baby Jesus, an event we celebrate once again this month, we are told (Mark 1:15) was to establish the Kingdom of God on earth and scripture is full of arguments to persuade us that this is an event that has already happened, our job is to be Jesus’ hands and feet and continue to build the Kingdom here. This ‘Kingdom’, as the early Christian communities lived it, is not built on Communist Road sign in Nigeria ideology and suppression, but on love, care, compassion and respect for our brothers and How about this for a speeding sisters. Even the slightly ‘dodgy’ characters in the New Testament, such as Zacchaeus (Luke ticket? 19: 1-10) are not castigated for their wealth and Two traffic patrol officers from North position, but for their selfishness and their lack Berwick, east of Edinburgh, were involved in of love for their fellow man. Read the passage, an unusual incident, whilst checking for Zacchaeus repented and was saved, but even speeding motorists on the A1 Great North those who have so much that they can’t find a Road. way to Jesus, like ‘The Rich Young Ruler’ One of the officers used a hand-held radar (Mark 10: 17-22) is shown love and knows that device to check the speed of a vehicle Jesus is always available. approaching over the crest of a hill, and was So all the time we return to the idea that surprised when the speed was recorded at over wealth and power is only a problem when it 300 mph. The machine then stopped working becomes a barrier to knowing Jesus and and the officers were unable to reset it. knowing Jesus is only shown by the way we The radar had in fact locked on to a NATO live our lives; our speech and our actions. This Tornado fighter jet over the North Sea, which is not only in the faith part of our lives, but in was engaged in a low flying exercise over the the whole of our lives and is as true for Borders district. politicians as it is for the people they serve. When they returned to Police headquarters As I see your chairman fight manfully to the Chief Constable fired off a stiff complaint make our politicians understand the real to the RAF Liaison office. hardship and fear among the more vulnerable of Back came the reply from the RAF. “Thank The Diabetic suggests that you start having you for your message, which allows us to meetings, what are we saying, we have been complete the file on the incident. having meetings since April 2008 to improve You may be interested to know that the diabetic response, and as yet not resolved tactical computer in the Tornado had anything but promises, promises of nothing. automatically locked on to your ‘hostile radar Lets get on with it. More action and less equipment’ and sent a jamming signal back to threats of cutting services Mr Teare. it. Furthermore the Sidewinder air–to-ground missiles aboard the fully armed aircraft, in automatic self defence, had also locked onto the target. Fortunately the Dutch pilot flying the Tornado responded to the missile status alert intelligently and was able to override the automatic protection system of the aircraft before the missile was launched, it turned out to No Comment be a very good and realistic exercise”. That would have been a costly speeding ticket. Blood Clinic Another ridiculous intervention by someone Manx Diabetes Centre who can’t leave things alone that are working We still do not appear to have resolved the properly. problems of the waiting lists at the Centre. Someone has to justify their job. We do know that they are understaffed and Now we have to have appointments to visit it is a DHSS problem, but something has to be the Blood Clinic when things used to work done to resolve this. properly and nobody complained. Everybody We keep hearing that patients appointments took their little bit of paper and waited patiently are being cancelled at short notice and these for their turn, without a murmur of patients are still awaiting a further appointment. dissatisfaction. Now someone has rang the Chairman saying So instead of employing another that they were given an appointment to visit the Phlebotomist we employ somebody to make Centre on 27th October last. Unfortunately it appointments. Good thinking Batman. conflicted with holiday arrangements that the Now we have created more empire building patient had made months before so he could not for the DHSS, and in the process another attend unless he lost all his deposits. waiting list, when we didn’t have one before. He spoke with the Centre and was told not to Wonderful. worry, they would give him a further Why can’t we just go back to normal, please? appointment. Which he thought was very nice I thought that the Minister had said in the of them. When he returned he had a letter House that he was going to look at and reduce waiting for him on arrival giving him a date for bureaucracy within the DHSS. Empty words, his next appointment of 3rd November 2010. The Minister has increased his bureaucracy and He thought this might be a typing error, so he is now responsible for more waiting lists. rang the Centre, but was told no, that is the correct date. Really, do we now have a one year Season’s Greetings To All waiting list at the Manx Diabetes Centre? That is not what we fought for years to have Our Readers, Peace, Health a Centre. The DHSS must wake up and do something about this. DHSS you were given And Happiness millions by Tynwald to resolve the waiting lists at Noble’s so get on with it, unless of course you’ve spent the money on something else. In 2010 DisabledGo, do they go or do DisabledGo has now launched their new website which has incorporated feedback from they stay? steering group members over the last 2 years. The new website will have new features. In March this year DisabledGo renewed the information available on DisabledGo-Isle of Man.

The meeting of the Isle of Man Steering The Annual Renewal involved DisabledGo Group of DisabledGo took place at the rd contacting all venues to ascertain whether their Legislative buildings on Tuesday 3 November access had changed in any way. All venues 2009. were written to, and those that appeared in The main item on the agenda at the meeting more detail on the website were called to talk as far as the Friends of the Manx Diabetic were them through their entry. Any venue that concerned, was the question of the renewal of reported a change to its physical access was the agreement for DisabledGo to continue to flagged to be revisited by a DisabledGo run the website and provide the information for Surveyor. disabled people. As usual after four years of immaculate They also added 61 new venues to the guide running the Government in its wisdom had put DisabledGo Isle of Man and the steering group it out to tender. discussed the need for more questions to be This created a lot of anger from disabled added to the guide for sensory impairments, people and of course the steering group. autism and learning difficulties. During the meeting the group discussed the importance of there being disabled access If there are any comments you would like to information available for residents and tourists add after you have visited the DisabledGo on and to the Isle of Man. And it was website for the Isle of Man then please do not unanimously agreed that DisabledGo was the hesitate to contact: obvious choice to continue with the project. There was a DHSS representative present [email protected] and the Chairman was most vociferous in his Fax: 01438 842717 arguments. We are now happy to report that the DHSS has seen the light of day and has informed DisabledGo that the Isle of Man Government has decided that DisabledGo is their preferred provider for access information, but that negotiations on the new contract still need to take place. We shall keep a very sharp eye on what transpires and you will be updated on the progress of the negotiations. Road sign in Nigeria www.DisabledGo.info now has 73 live guides and is working in partnership with over 75 local Letter from a local authorities in the UK. DisabledGo is committed Commissioners Office. to developing and improving You may recollect a letter that we published www.DisabledGo.com so it is as useful as in a previous Newsletter regarding an officious possible for the people it serves. approach of a council in the States, due to DisabledGo has launched a new initiative beavers building a dam in a pond. DisabledGo-Health. They will be working with Well we have now been given a letter from a local Primary Care Trusts, NHS Trusts and Commissioners Office in the Isle of Man Community Health Partnerships to provide It says; detailed access information for hospitals, doctor “We believe you are the last registered owner surgeries and other health related venues. of the above vehicle. It has been noted that this vehicle has been “We must have got it wrong sorry”. parked at…….in the car park for some weeks Sorry, this is ridiculous. without being moved (being first noted Its ridiculous because the commissioners had 31/07/09), but was present prior to that date. the gentleman’s name and address in addition Under the conditions of use contained in to his car registration number. the…..(Parking places) Order 2006, car park is The Gentleman in question has a right under for a maximum stay of 18 in any 24 hours the Data Protection Act, Section 8 to write to period and is not a long term storage park. the Commissioners with copies to the If there is a reason why the vehicle is parked Department of transport demanding how they for longer than 18 hours then you can apply in got all his details wrong as the car was not his. writing to the Commissioners Office for a short Under the act the Commissioners must give term permit stating reasons. him a satisfactory explanation within 21days. The Commissioners do not issue annual or So now you know what to do if it happens to indefinite stay permits. you. However, unless you take action within 15 The Gentleman in question, who is a member days of this Notice we will deem the vehicle of the Friends of the Manx Diabetic, should abandoned and may arrange for its removal at have allowed the Commissioners to take him to your cost. court. Then there would have been fun and Persistent breach of the conditions of use of games. the car park may render the owner liable upon You thought it only happened somewhere summary conviction to a fine not exceeding else, well you are mistaken, it also happens in £500. the Isle of Man Objections to the removal of the vehicle must Keep them coming. be made in writing to the Clerk……Commissioners at the above address. Signed Baldrine Methodist Chapel Clerk to the Commissioners Presentation This was the presentation at the Baldrine Now isn’t that lovely? How officious can Methodist Chapel following their fund raising you get? There is only one problem they didn’t event with monies raised for the Friends of the do their homework properly. Manx Diabetic. The gentleman in question thought this was not worth putting pen to paper, but he decided to give the Commissioners clerk a ring. The conversation went like this! “Is that the Commissioners Office, can I speak to Mr So and So”. “Speaking” “I have just received your letter dated 11th September and I would like to register a strong complaint, please bring up my reference number………..on your computer” “I have it here” “Well we have a little problem, you see my L to R. Jerry Ludford-Brooks (Treasurer –FMD) David Clague (BMC) Joan Wilkinson (BMC) Henry Ramagge car is not in your car park, because I am sitting (Chairman FMD) Susan Corkill (Secretary Baldrine in it in my driveway in Douglas. I live in Methodist Chapel) Ian Quayle (BMC) Edith Gair (BMC) Douglas and I don’t visit your neck of the Roy Kermeen (BMC) woods very often. So how can my car be parked in your car park for days on end when I use my The Total money raised during the afternoon car every day?” entertainment amounted to £410 pounds, which “Just a minute, is your car a Mazda 626 was a tremendous effort by all concerned. registration Number……?” The Friends of the Manx Diabetic would like “Yes it is, but it is here with me, and I am to thank the committee and their helpers, for sitting in it” their generous presentation, which they were organisations with more than half of our assured, as is our mandate that it would be members aged under 25. spent on the Island, and used for the benefit of Our volunteers provide first aid at high the Manx Diabetic and their carers. profile national as well as local events and provide support to the statutory services, especially in times of emergency. News in Brief The origins of St John Ambulance date back If you want to fight diabetes use Teflon- to the 11th century and since then we have coated cells. continued to provide the best medical care Scientists have come up with the idea of using the latest techniques. using Teflon-coated tiny implant that contains First aid advice transplanted insulin-producing cells. Over the next few issues we will provide first As you may recollect Teflon is the chemical aid advice on various illnesses and injuries. used to coat your non stick pans. Within this article are links to our national The idea of this is to stop the immune system website, please use these links to find out cells from attacking and destroying what they further information about St John and more see as foreign tissue, and cannot stick to it. details on the advice given. As a result the transplanted cells are able to Life saving procedures carry on producing insulin. As a first aider the priorities when dealing with a casualty are always the same: Video Game helps diabetic Children to test sugar • Airway levels. The blood glucose meter known as the • Breathing DIDGET, can be used alongside the Nintendo • Circulation DS games console. A primary survey of a casualty will establish As with other testing kits, the child pricks a your priorities. When dealing with an finger before entering the blood sample into the unconscious casualty you should open and meter. maintain their airway as your first priority. If The meter developed by Bayer then plugs the airway should become obstructed, possibly directly into the console and transfers points by the tongue falling to the back of the throat, that have been awarded for constant testing then the casualty will be unable to breathe and habits this will lead to death if untreated. The points can then be used to unlock new If the casualty is breathing, the simple games levels. procedure of placing the casualty in to the The meter costs £29.99. For further recovery position should ensure that the airway information please go to will remain clear of obstructions. www.bayerdidget.co.uk If the casualty has stopped breathing you can assist them by performing a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths. You breathe out enough oxygen to potentially keep the casualty alive until the emergency services arrive, the oxygen you breathe into the casualty will need to then be pumped around the body

using chest compressions. Welcome to St John Ambulance. It is important to remember that in any life St John Ambulance is the nation’s leading threatening situation the emergency services first aid charity. We believe that everyone who should be called as soon as breathing or needs it should receive first aid from those absence of breathing has been identified. around them and that no one should suffer for Please note: the lack of trained first aiders. These hints are no substitute for thorough Our 43,000 volunteers are committed to knowledge of first aid! St John Ambulance training, caring and saving lives, helping holds first aid courses throughout the year on around 130,000 casualties annually. We’re also the island. one of the country’s leading youth For further information please email The Alternate Last Laugh [email protected] Little Johnny arrived in class in the middle of Community First Responders the day, the teacher asked him: - On the island, St John is at the heart of the “I hope you have a good explanation for community by providing the Community first arriving late today?” responder scheme in conjunction with the Isle “Yes Sir” said little Johnny, “My Father got of Man ambulance service. Community First burned this morning”. Responder volunteers are trained to attend “Was it serious” asked the teacher in alarm. emergency calls received by the ambulance “As serious as it can get Sir” said little service and provide care until the ambulance Johnny, “They don’t muck about at the arrives. crematorium”. Volunteers can arrive at an emergency scene Cleaned up for The Diabetic, but as heard at in a matter of minutes, as they are sent to calls a dinner given in honour of the Chairman in in their local area. Gibraltar. The schemes operate as a community As a lady at the dinner said to him, we now partnership between St John Ambulance and have a crematorium so you can come back. the Isle of Man ambulance service. Having someone in the community who has been trained in first aid and can reach the patient P.S. quickly makes all the difference. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Volunteers operate as part of a rota system has signed a Statement of Intent with 18 other from their own home or place of work. They parties as a partner in a major programme are dispatched at the same time as an monitoring seabirds around the British Isle. ambulance via ambulance control to attend This is coordinated by the Joint Nature Category A 'immediately life – threatening' Conservation Committee, the UK organisation calls. These calls can include: charged with coordinating British conservation • cardiac arrest policy across the UK. The Diabetic presumes the British • diabetic emergency Government has given permission to our • unconscious patient Government to enter into this agreement. • breathing difficulties It appears that our Government is more • seizures concerned with seabirds than with the Isle of Community First Responders are dispatched Man people. to calls under normal road conditions using There is no truth in the rumour that the their own cars. They do not have the authority seabirds are massing outside the Department of to drive under emergency conditions. Agriculture and Fisheries, to acquire their This worthwhile role means that they can health insurance to fly to and from the UK. often be first on the scene to a patient in need, The Minister for this department is Mr Phil assessing the condition and prioritising their Gawne. response. Community First Responders are Mr Gawne voted against you in Tynwald on trained to not only assess the immediate the rescinding of the Reciprocal Health situation but also to ascertain a previous Agreement, but appears to be with the birds medical history whilst treating a patient. instead. Sometimes they can simply be a very vital So at the next election give him the bird. second pair of hands to an ambulance crew when they arrive. We are the Group that Gets things Done. A CFRs kit consists of a basic first aid kit We look after the interests of the and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) as Manx People. well as a separate bag for oxygen therapy. Join us today The above article has been supplied by Mr Ring Phil Bennett, Commercial Development Jan on (01624) 613702 Officer, St John Ambulance, Isle of Man. We need your help because without your help we cannot look after, and help you.