Chair of Isle of Man's health service to step down as it enters 'next phase' of leadership

The Chair of Manx Care is the latest senior official to announce she will be stepping down from her role.

Professor Wendy Reid has been the Chair of the Isle of Man's health service since February 2024, but says it is time for Manx Care to move into the "next phase" of leadership.

Her announcement comes just a week after the service's Chief Executive, Teresa Cope, confirmed she would be standing down and leaving the organisation in the summer of 2026.

Professor Reid said: "It has been a privilege to chair the organisation for more than two years and I am immensely proud of what has been achieved during that time. This includes delivering important clinical improvements, strengthened governance and the continued development of social care services in the Island.

"I have also worked hard to strengthen the board through the recruitment of local non-executive directors and, despite some delays, these appointments are now in post."

Her departure means Manx Care will lose both its Chair and Chief Executive within months of each other during a difficult period for the health service.

In early May 2026, Manx Care faced "extreme pressures", with patients waiting over 12 hours in the Emergency Department, causing the health service to escalate to the highest alert level for operational pressure.

Manx Care says the strain on services has now eased, but the organisation is facing a Governance Review after clinicians raised concerns over how it is being run.

Professor Reid added: "Health and social care services continue to face significant pressures, particularly rising demand and increasing complexity of care. These pressures mean accepting uncomfortable trade-offs or risk instability when expectations exceed capacity.

"I came to the Island to work alongside Teresa Cope (Chief Executive) and, following Teresa’s decision to move on at the end of next month, I believe it is also the right time for me to do the same.

"With the Department of Health and Social Care progressing its Governance Review, this is an appropriate moment to allow the next phase of leadership and governance arrangements to be shaped for the future."

"However, I have every confidence in the professionalism and dedication of the teams across Manx Care to continue delivering high-quality care for our community. I want to thank them personally for their daily efforts and their expertise."

The announcement comes on the same day as the Isle of Man's Parliament was asked to approve £20.8m in additional funding for the Department of Health and Social Care to address additional costs incurred by Manx Care.

A former advisor to the UK Government, Professor Reid has combined her clinical work with a number of senior academic and leadership positions, including national Executive Medical Director, Director of Education & Quality and interim Chief Executive for Health Education England, as a Dean of Postgraduate Medicine at London Deanery and Vice President of the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists.

Hon. Claire Christian MHK, Minister for Health and Social Care added: "I would like to thank Professor Reid for her leadership and service in the pivotal role of Chair of Manx Care.

"Her extensive experience and knowledge has been felt across the whole organisation and her commitment to improving standards has been evident throughout.

"Her guidance and support for myself and colleagues during this period has been invaluable and I look forward to continuing to work with her over the coming months as we conclude the Governance Review and take the appropriate steps to consider and appoint a new Chair."

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