POINCIANA REHABILITATION CENTRE: A FRESH FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH CARE

By Staff Writer

In line with its healthcare reform agenda, the governing National Coalition For Caymanians(NCFC) administration has established a new mental health advisory council, called the Poinciana Mental Health Advisory Council, overseeing the Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre (PRC). This also follows a government decision to reposition the adults receiving inpatient mental health care from the Anthony S. Eden Hospital (formerly George Town Hospital) to the Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre (PRC), allowing the creation of a dedicated mental health ward to cater exclusively for children.

According to a government statement, this decision follows an eight week review led by the Honourable Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, who made it clear from the outset that healthcare reform would be a priority of this administration. “Mental health has for too long been underfunded, undervalued, and fragmented across our system,” said Minister Ebanks-Wilks. “Once taking office, it quickly became evident to me that an urgent solution was needed to separate the adults and children receiving inpatient mental health services. My Ministry team and I have spent the last few weeks looking at a wide variety of options that would allow for a dedicated space for children at Anthony S. Eden Hospital.”

The Ministry said it had been planning to make this announcement at a later date. However, it moved up the announcement in order to reassure the public that decisive steps are being taken in light of recent allegations of a disturbing incident involving a minor child receiving inpatient mental health care. “We deemed the current situation as unacceptable and every other interim option presented to us would take over a year to implement. We have taken the decision to transfer the adult mental health inpatients to the underutilised PRC as this offers much a faster solution to creating separate and dedicated spaces for the two patient groups,” Minister Ebanks-Wilks explained.

She also disclosed that this transition is just the first step in a broader reform agenda which includes improving regulatory oversight, preventative care and creating a cohesive and modern mental health system. The issue was further explored on a recent edition of the Radio Cayman prime time morning show For The Record with Orrett Connor featuring Min. Ebanks, Parliamentary Secretary (and ex-Premier) Wayne Panton MP, and Parliamentary Secretary/MP Julie Hunter.

Discussing the scope of the challenge and commitment to address the issue, PS/MP Panton stated: “As a society and government, we have to put in place programmes and exhibit tolerance and kindness, and try to find ways to help people deal with these challenges.” Mr Panton who has had first-hand experience of a family member affected by mental health challenges which led to a tragic outcome, recalled a previous era in Cayman where there was “ a lot of negativity” surrounding persons with mental health challenges. He pointed out that “it’s a complex set of circumstances that sometimes is quite difficult…it comes from all kinds of roots” referring to statistics which show that one-in-five children in Cayman have had adverse childhood experiences. “It could be that they grow up trying to figure out how to deal with those kinds of traumas,” the former Premier stated, appealing to the community to show greater empathy.

Parliamentary Secretary Julie Hunter offered that “what we have seen a lot of times in Cayman is the cycle being continued” in reference to children growing up in certain households in which both parents have been incarcerated, have been exposed to domestic violence, or have seen parents involved in drug use. “So you have all of these childhood experiences that have morphed into the fact that they’re now in that same sphere where they are doing what they’ve seen…and a lot of that they use use it for coping with the trauma that they’ve experienced. She also passionately advocated for empathy and support for those affected.

Meanwhile, with a lot of attention now on the Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre (PRC) as a critical purpose-built facility, Hon. Minister for Social Development and Innovation, Isaac Rankine, has welcomed these changes. He said, “Creating a dedicated mental health ward at Anthony S. Eden Hospital for children will have an immediate positive impact by facilitating the right care, in safe spaces for children and adults respectively in a more appropriate way. Doing this helps both populations receive better and more tailored support.”

The Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre (PRC) designed by Montgomery Sisam Architects in association with DDL Studio, has already received an award for its design concept for the intended usage. It has been described as an innovative model which fosters self-reliance, social skills, and emotional healing, setting a new standard for mental health treatment in the region. The name, Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre, was inspired by the vibrant local Poinciana tree, known for its red blossoms. A Poinciana tree has been planted on the grounds as a living emblem of healing, growth, and connection to place.