The delegations for the political members of the Department of Health and Social Care have today been unveiled by Minister Howard Quayle MHK.

The Department welcomed two new Members – Ralph Peake MHK and Tony Wild MLC – on 23rd June.

Mr Peake has been given responsibility for Acute Healthcare Services and Mr Wild has been given responsibility for Children and Families Social Care Services.

David Quirk MHK retains his responsibilities for Adult Social Care Services while Michael Coleman MLC retains his responsibilities for Mental Health Services and the Department’s corporate governance as well as taking on responsibility for Primary Healthcare Services and the Drug and Alcohol Action Team.

Commenting on the delegations, the Minister said: “Political delegations are an important part of the Island’s system of government, enabling a significant number of Tynwald Members to play an active role in developing policy within Departments and Statutory Boards.

“I am delighted to welcome Mr Peake and Mr Wild to the Department. I believe that with the appointment of two new Members and retention of two existing Members, we have been able to strike a balance, ensuring continuity as well as fresh perspectives.

“Being a political member of a Department as large and diverse as the DHSC is a challenging role, so I am grateful that I have been able to secure a team with the dedication and ambition to continue our work to develop health and social care services of which we can be proud.”

The Minister thanked Dudley Butt and Alfred Cannan MHK for their service, following the end of Mr Butt’s term of office as a Member of the Legislative Council and Mr Cannan’s move to the Department of Economic Development: “I would like to extend my thanks to Mr Cannan and to Mr Butt for their valued contribution over the past year. In particular I would like to pay tribute to Mr Butt who served as Member for Health Services for five years.”