PPM GIVES CONDITIONAL WELCOME TO HSA REVIEW

The People’s Progressive Movement(PPM) has welcomed the completion and full publication of the independent review into the governance of the Health Services Authority.

In a press release, the main opposition party said the report confirms serious and systemic weaknesses involving governance, accountability, performance management, organisational culture and the treatment of both staff and patients. “These findings must now lead to meaningful and measurable change,” it stated.

The PPM also said it welcomes the Minister’s commitments to implement all 47 recommendations, establish a Governance Implementation Steering Group, create a publicly accessible performance dashboard and report on progress every six months.

“The next step must be a fully costed implementation plan identifying who is responsible for each recommendation, the deadlines for delivery and the measures by which success will be judged. To provide meaningful accountability, the public dashboard should show the status of each recommendation, the responsible party, the deadline, progress achieved and the reasons for any delays.”

The PPM also said the proposed appointment of a Chief Operating Officer could strengthen the HSA’s day-to-day management, but it stressed that the position must be clearly defined before recruitment begins. “The reporting line, delegated authority, relationship with the CEO and clinical leadership, and measurable performance expectations should all be made clear.”

The opposition party also stated that the successful candidate should have substantial senior healthcare operational experience, including proven expertise in financial and risk management, patient safety, workforce leadership, organisational change and data-driven performance improvement. It added that the appointment should follow a transparent, merit-based process.

“If the successful candidate is not Caymanian, the position should include appropriate Caymanian development and succession planning,” it insisted.

PPM also said reform must address accountability for what has already occurred, including the financial and governance concerns identified by previous audits. “Correcting the structures should not mean quietly moving past legitimate questions about public expenditure, the possible recovery of funds or whether further action is required.”

The PPM statement said the party further welcomes the Minister’s commitment to commission a separate independent clinical and operational review. It wants that review to proceed without delay, with its terms of reference, timeline and cost made public.

“Ultimately, these reforms must be judged by their effect on people: whether patients receive better and more timely care, whether communication improves, whether staff can raise concerns safely,

whether everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and whether the public receives value for the considerable resources invested in healthcare,” it stated.