Hundreds of Manx patients affected by data error

More than 430 patients on the Isle of Man have been subject to a data error resulting in their home addresses being changed to UK ones, Manx Care has said.

The island's healthcare provider said NHS England had incorrectly recorded temporary UK residences as permanent addresses for island residents who were receiving treatment there.

A spokeswoman said that so far about 446 patients had been affected, with further cases likely to be confirmed as "awareness increases".

She said Manx Care was "actively collaborating" with UK healthcare bodies and integrated care boards to "improve how address changes are managed, particularly for patients moving between the Isle of Man and the UK".

NHS systems on the Isle of Man and in the UK work independently, but data is shared when address changes are made.

The Manx Care spokeswoman said: "In some cases the UK system assumed a permanent relocation rather than a temporary visit."

This led to "unintended updates to patient records", she added.

Manx Care said it was contacting GP practices to verify permanent addresses to all of those affected by the error and had reiterated "the importance of not replacing records" to UK health providers.

Meanwhile, the health body has urged anyone who has been treated in the UK and expected correspondence from Manx Care, to get in touch with their GP practice to "review your records".

Potential impacts on care could mean people miss or have delayed invitations for routine screenings or appointments at Noble's Hospital.

Manx Care said that despite the error, patients would not lose their places at their Manx GP practice.

The healthcare body apologised for "any confusion or disruption" and said people's "health and peace of mind [were] top priorities".

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