MHKs have criticised a decision to outsource a government-run care service to an off-island private sector provider.
Health and Social Care Minister Howard Quayle told the House of Keys that while his department has not yet signed a contract for the provision of home care services, it has identified a preferred provider from an off-island company called Human Support Group.
There has been continuing controversy over a decision to award a series of childcare contracts to St Christopher’s.
He said: ‘The reason for this decision was informed by the outcome of a robust procurement process. During the procurement exercise, tenders were evaluated based on quality and price.’
John Houghton (Douglas North) said: ‘Once again the department had gone off-island to the detriment of Manx-based service providers.’
Mr Quayle said that home-grown third sector organisations are ‘not doing that well’ compared to UK organisations when it came to winning tenders - and his department intended to provide training to help improve their chances of success.
The Minister said Human Support Group had demonstrated both a higher score in quality and a significantly lower price than the alternative provider.
‘Of course, where possible, we would like local companies to win tenders,’ he said.
He said HSG has been a domiciliary care provider since 2004 and presently provides more than 25,000 hours of community based support each week to 2,500 service users, delivering care in 35 local authorities and
Mr Quayle said it will register as an Isle of Man company and has given a commitment to reinvest 20 per cent of its profits here.
He said the 61 government staff will be transferred to the new provider.
‘Most likely at less pay I would suggest,’ remarked Brenda Cannell (Douglas East).
Mr Houghton asked if other services such as residential homes were to be privatised. Mr Quayle said government had to ensure quality of service and value for money. He said it would save thousands of pounds.