Ministers took the decision to end the current bilateral health care agreement with the Isle of Man on the basis that it did not represent value for money for the UK taxpayer and the wide availability of travel insurance. Discussions prior to the decision being made were at official level and the UK Government proposed no alternative financial mechanism.
The Government ended its agreement with the Channel Islands on 31 March 2009, and is ending its agreement with the Isle of Man on 1 April 2010, as they do not represent value for money for the United Kingdom taxpayer and travel insurance is widely available. Tourists will continue to receive free accident and emergency treatment. However, they will now be expected to have insurance to cover the cost of other treatment.