Sentience

I initially like to sound friendly and genuinely interested in what their saying, about 15 seconds, then with gusto say "oh can you hang on a second I need to go to the kitchen to stop something 'bubbling over".

Sometimes they're still there an hour or two later!!

I know...bastard!

On 4/24/2024 at 11:56 AM, Roger Mexico said:

The list of conditions which automatically qualify for free medication is a bit arbitrary - for example diabetes is included but not something like COPD also requiring ongoing treatment.  The English list is very similar and I suspect as usual they just copied that and whatever historical biases and special pleadings that were there.  I'm a bit surprised that Mrs S got a certificate in the first place as the only more general condition is "A continuing physical disability which prevents the patient from leaving his residence without the help of another person", which mercifully doesn't apply here.

The obvious route to go down is getting a prepayment certificate which, as my first link says:

Pre-paid certificates cost £54 for 12 months, or £19 for four months – and any Isle of Man Residents, over 16 (19 if a full time student) can apply.

This one off payment allows you unlimited prescription items while your certificate is valid.  To get a certificate you just need to complete the application form, and return it by email to fps@gov.im or by post to Manx Care, Primary Care Services, Crookall House, Demesne Road, Douglas, IM1 3QA.  

The cost of the yearly certificate is equivalent to 14 items, for those with complex health needs or repeat prescriptions this may provide good value for money.

The prepayment form is in a pdf here.  Naturally you can't fill it in online, you'll have to download it, print it and send it with a cheque or without and they will ring you up to take your credit card details.

RM you're a gent, thanks for that info, very helpful.

The missive the lady from hoopers gang sent gave NO explanation as to why my wife was deemed no longer exempt from paying for her COVID meds. As I said, although she 'quit the fags' when she was diagnosed with this lung disease, the only changes in the last 5 years is it has worsened (as predicted).

Very frightening from a husbands perspective when you are woken up late at night by someone gasping to take the next breath AND not being able to give any real practical help.

Is this a case of our caring government saying "too bad, we know we've wasted millions of your money on ill planned and executed projects, but along with our unbelievable salaries/pension, these mistakes YOU have to pay for. This all has to happen BEFORE we treat your wife to any help at all"! 

Seriously, what else could make our 'caring' iomg cs/ps /hooper so UNcaring and mean?

Oh, and as for our amateur comedian la colombe, these kind of oh so clever remarks are attributed to 'Small willy syndrome' and therefore deep lack of self confidence.

Pity and understanding is what's needed for the poor chap. 

1 hour ago, La Colombe said:

Nah, she's a proper minger. 

Boysoboys I'll hazard a guess and say I'll bet absolutely anyone associated with you feels real lucky to know you.

And no she stopped smoking at the diagnosis.

3 minutes ago, Derek Flint said:

10 quid an item here.

I prepay every May. About 100 quid. 3 items a month = big saving

With all due respect 'D' I was talking particularly about IOMG's (NOT so) caring attitude toward their public, not the UK's.

This comparison is meaningless in these circumstances.

7 minutes ago, Anthony Ingham said:

Sorry, but I think Bakkers point deserves a proper response.

We spend a lot of money each month on prescription meds in this house because we don’t meet the criteria for free prescriptions.  I don’t like it, and I moan about it occasionally but it is what it is and we budget for it.

Plus, if I am Being brutally honest, they aren’t self inflicted conditions.

It must be horrible to deal with and you have my sympathy, but presumably you have been deemed able to afford it where some others can’t, and should that change in the future you can be re assessed?

I believe my response was appropriate.

Nothing, including her/our financial circumstances have changed, apart from this horrible disablement getting, as predicted, worse.

If it helps, her wage annual total is small enough she doesn't have to pay tax!

But along with a miserable pay, ironically, there are costs for the employee just to be able to care.

AND, she is not alone. Carers, considering the kind of wonderful 'caring' they offer are amongst the worst paid in society. 

Period.

Just now, Banker said:

I assume she can afford to pay and doesn’t qualify for exemption by being on benefits so any reason she shouldn’t pay?

'W, sorry 'banker', you really need to read and furthermore  understand what's written.

Quote; "She's a carer"...a working carer,  certainly not on ANY benefits.

Do you have even a remote idea what these workers get paid, and if I even get a runny nose we are required to do a daily LFT which the carers have to buy out of their own pocket...5 LFT'S for £11.00.

Do keep up!

For many years my loving wife has suffered from COPD, a severe breathing problem apparently mainly caused by smoking cigarettes.

As she is approaching her 60th birthday, it's obvious this habit began for her before the very negative health potentials were fully understood.

Thankfully for many years the meds for this debilitating condition were given free. A night tablet and inhalers.

She recently recieved a letter from Mr Hooper's lot, a Mrs Baxter, asking her to reapply for a new exemption certificate.

Today in the mail my wife received this reply;

She 'no longer met the requirements necessary for exemption'??

Has the COPD suddenly gone away?...it doesn't..ever.

Has the illness suddenly got less impactive on her health...no, as with my wife it get's worse.

So, what can the reason be that after many years where previous health authorities agreed to support this woman who has paid into the health system all her working life (ironically, she's a carer!) Now decide she doesn't meet the 'criteria' for their support?

They're even supporting their outlandish salaries/pensions by declining help to the sick...IOMG caring....shite.

4 hours ago, PeachTea said:

going back to the point about hospitality i think its wrong for the gov to not at least reconsider their stance on the 22% tax for those on a lower income . They do have the power to rethink this decision. 

That kind of thinking requires a caring government....and we don't have one. 😌

18 hours ago, Moghrey Mie said:

'The Isle of Man has the potential to establish itself as a significant player in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), although there are several factors to consider in achieving this.

1. Investment in Infrastructure: The Isle of Man would need to invest in infrastructure to support AI development, including high-speed internet connectivity, research facilities, and educational programs focused on AI.

2. Collaboration and Partnerships: Collaboration with universities, research institutions, and businesses both locally and globally could accelerate AI research and development. Building partnerships with leading AI companies or academic institutions could provide access to expertise and resources.

3. Regulatory Environment: Establishing clear regulations and guidelines for AI development and deployment is crucial for fostering innovation while ensuring ethical and responsible use of AI technologies. The Isle of Man would need to create a supportive regulatory environment that encourages innovation while protecting privacy and security.

4. Talent Development: Investing in education and training programs to develop a skilled workforce in AI-related fields is essential. This includes not only technical skills but also expertise in areas such as ethics, law, and policy related to AI.

5. Focus on Niche Areas: Identifying niche areas or specialized applications of AI where the Isle of Man can excel could help it carve out a unique position in the global AI landscape. This could involve focusing on specific industries or applications where the Isle of Man has existing expertise or competitive advantages.

6. Promotion and Marketing: Promoting the Isle of Man as a hub for AI innovation through marketing efforts, participation in conferences and events, and networking with industry stakeholders can help raise awareness and attract talent and investment.

Overall, while becoming a leader in AI would require concerted effort and investment, the Isle of Man's size and flexibility could also offer advantages in terms of agility and adaptability to emerging trends in the AI landscape.'

In all things we, the Isle of Man 'has potential' to do a lot of things.....badly.

Seriously, does anyone remember when we, IOMG, jumped on the bandwagon of a new enterprise and it actually worked?

OK, Finance, still working well for us, or on-line gambling, but to absolutely no benefit to us as the man in the street.

I would love to be proven wrong and see success for a change, but, unfortunately all I'll probably witness is yet another expensive employee in IOMG.

Please let me be wrong...seriously.

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, HeliX said:

If I didn't have family ties here I'd have smegged off to somewhere Scandinavian years ago.

In years past, anyone who was serious about leaving this once safe paradise of an Island looking for suggestions as where to go, I would have happily suggested Canada, a land of opportunity. Somewhere on the Pacific Northwest Coast, Vancouver Island for example. Another Island, yes, equally as beautiful in a very Canadian way, and although the size of Ireland it's population still has an Island mentality.

Now though I don't believe I'd be quite so positive, Premier Trudeau, unlike his Father before him seems to be doing to his population the same as our lot. Shame really, the Country and people are still basically the same, but it's leadership seems to have the same inadequacy as our lot.

Being a true representative FOR the people....and not for themselves and their political careers.

I was there, outside the HSBC Bank, got some real good HI-RES Video.

Lovely wife wanted to go, not really originally interested myself, I said oh, ok then.

Parked up in M&s, did the necessary shopping and walked up to the corner.....really glad I did.

It was simply a nice Royal occasion for the Island, someone had decided we were actually important enough as a nation to do the right thing in a Royal assent sort of way.

We were very close when the Lady herself was shaking hands with people, my lady did just that.

She was really nice, next to us a young lady had a little pooch called 'Bear' who got a Royal couple of strokes with a question about his name.

Human, quite normal and quite petite, despite being described as being 5" 8.

Cannot for the life of me understand those who have a real, almost physical abhorrence of the Royal Family? 

5 minutes ago, x-in-man said:

You don’t have to use Manx Forums.   End of.

Now that's a valuable contribution.....well done. 🤣

This criticism is not about money.

And yet it is.

I can fully understand the site owners wanting to try and cover costs with the latest providers allowing advertising, BUT, the staggering amount of commercial content is just unbelievable!!

It has now become SO cluttered that it makes reading the content of any post devoid of any sense of flow.

Ok, we are told that there is an option to 'Subscribe' and avoid this kind of content (blackmail)....at a cost.

For a lot of us, NOT subscribing is NOT about money, rather a sense of security or other personal reasons.

As I said, it's quite understandable to want to cover costs, but the amount of very intrusive ads is, frankly unreasonable IMHO.

Forum owners, I believe you have been sold a very messy 'right pup'.

What's this one about?

9 minutes ago, code99 said:

The French have this charming expression to describe someone like him – “quel connard!”. I do think it sounds a bit more elegant than the run-of-the-mill “such a dick!”, but the gist is the same – a dick! It seems that most members of the HSCC share this opinion too, which is why they have been resigning in droves:

https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/six-vacancies-on-health-services-consultative-committee/

'Petit cochon', also probably relates to 'small man syndrome'.

Such a shame, as he is basically responsible for our LIVES!

That's how serious the position he holds is, but....who is it that has the responsibility for giving him that position.

Oh yeah...figures.

7 minutes ago, CrazyDave said:

If you have any actual evidence from people who worked in his house to back up that all th observations I have had from people who did the same were wrong, then feel free to share them.

As it is, I will listen to the people I know well who have first hand experiences of doing work for him, rather than a random on the internet giving no substance to what they are saying.

You have had my final comment, which was more about your puerile attitude than about Norman, substantiated by my first hand, face to face with him.

1 hour ago, CrazyDave said:

Horribe fella he was.

When ever I see your name as the poster responding to any, no, make that ALL subjects I know exactly the kind of response to expect.

CRETINOUS.

I worked with this incredibly talented man on a number of programs he was doing for both radio and television and it was genuine fun....and I am no lover of 'slapstick humour' but he added something quite special to it and carried it off very professionally. 

YOU, on the other hand are about as funny as a migraine.

Just spent time listening to the first 10 minutes, frustrating is an understatement. imho;

The CM seems really, and I mean REALLY pee'd off that his colleagues have the absolute temerity to feel they have the right to question him in this way....how very dare they!

Having said that, understandably, 'they' sound like they're fed up with his obfuscation, aloofness and  pomposity...."As I said in my 2nd, 3rd, 4th response" etc etc. 

Has a certain MHK in charge of our health been taking lessons, being led by example?

If anyone ever sounded like they were hiding something....

6 hours ago, Gladys said:

I think you have just identified the issue, trust.  Personally, I do not think there are the shenanigans that many allege going on now.  But it is for our politicians and senior CS to acknowledge and deal with that lack of trust, no matter if it is unfounded in fact, and plainly and openly deal with it.

It is no good MHKs saying everything is fine.  What they need to do is say there should be confidence in the government because X,Y and Z, and also admit when things go wrong.  Things do go wrong, but it is the inability to admit it quickly and then explain exactly what steps are put in place to prevent another debacle.   

Also, it is absolutely unacceptable for any elected member to say how difficult it is to change, without giving clear reasons why, and what they think can be done.

Confidence in government is at an all time low, in my experience. Don't blame the people, blame the inability of government to give clear and decisive leadership and openness. 

I once physically witnessed a literal 'Brown Envelope' being handed over to a now deceased MHK with the words "Thanks for sorting that for us".

Obviously I cannot mention the names of the party's involved, but it concerned 'Noise' problems.

However that was 30 -35 years ago.

Gladys, totally agree with you and your belief that this sort of 'shenanigans' shouldn't be possible now, BUT...I think one poster suggested that there are legal transactions that can and do take place to achieve the same end.

Legal, but not very moral or caring.

25 minutes ago, 2112 said:

Sad stories all round, and I appreciate it’s also divisive in some respects, due to religious views. 
 

You are not being selfish, there will be many others thinking the same way.

Carefully monitored and controlled, this, for some would put dignity into your final act.

4 hours ago, CrazyDave said:

I don’t think there is anything there we don’t already know.

4 hours ago, Gladys said:

It was posted for those interested, that is all. 

Glad don't rise to this poor hapless individual, it only encourages him/her. 

It's a sad personality trait, everything is always by default just about him/her and his/her oh so clever (not) rhetoric.

The only upside to this behaviour is he/she has no prejudices, he/she will argue the toss with 'anybody/everybody'!! It creates an adrenaline rush, which he/she has become addicted to.

38 minutes ago, John Wright said:

 

 

Hi, Jessi. Not sure that the Children’s Champion is the correct person. Given the timeline you are now an adult. Possibly outside their remit.

I see other posters have assumed the abuse was sexual. That wasn’t how I read your post. Sorry if I’m wrong. I’m aware that abuse can take many different forms. It may even have been a type that wasn’t criminal at the time it happened.

You mention the adoption. One form of abuse frequently often perceived by adoptees is not being treated equally with natural children in the family unit. That May not apply to you.

I think piebaps is right, you need someone with experience in the area to look at your file and point you in the right direction.

I’m an advocate, I’m also adopted. Happy to give an hour or two of my time free of charge, if you think I might help.

You can message me here or look me up in the phone directory, or on the web and call or e-Mail. Any contact will be confidential and legally privileged, and cost you nothing.

Lovely kind offer of help John.

I bet you got wings!☺️

We should have some sort of accolade for posters like CD. I mean look how much they bring to ALL topics. ALL TOPICS!!

The honesty, the intelligence, the candour. What more COULD we ask of posters like these!! 

Holy snappin arseholes!!

21 hours ago, The Voice of Reason said:

Yes Gladys I’m in complete agreement with your first two paragraphs.

But as for your third I don’t think that counts as evidence. If the writer of the letter requested anonymity what better way of protecting that anonymity by shredding said letter?

How absolutely ironic It is, that it is your 3rd paragraph that shows just how much you are such a Government schill, or, how absolutely naïve you are as to the length these sort of people will go to, to protect their so called 'integrity'.

They simply don't have any, or basic honesty for that matter!

There were certain words sadly missing from this report, had they been used in the correct context would have made it's conclusion.....more conclusive.

What were the words? (and they admittedly are all emotive): Nasty, vindictive, disingenuous and cruel, and there are lots more of the same nature that would have made this inquiry more genuine and historically correct.