The results of last week’s cayCompass.com online poll showed confidence levels in the quality of health care provided by Cayman’s Health Services Authority remained about the same as they were 17 months ago.
Of the 537 total responses, 290 people – 54 per cent – said they were not too confident or not confident at all on the quality of the HSA’s health care. This figure was down only 0.7 per cent from the results of an online poll conducted in September 2010 asking the same question.
The percentage of people who said they were not confident at all in the quality of the HSA’s health care actually rose from 23.9 per cent in 2010 to 28.7 (154 respondents) per cent this year.
“It seems to be hit-or-miss with trigger-happy surgeons,” said one person.
“If I were confident, I would not pay the extra money to go to Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital when my insurance only covers government health care,” said someone else.
“When tested in Cayman and then sent overseas for testing it clearly displays either lack of knowledge or interest in care provided,” said another respondent.
The largest single segment of respondents – 166 people or 30.9 per cent – said they were somewhat confident in the health care quality of the HSA. Although this figure was down from the 33.1 per cent who said they were somewhat confident in 2010, the number of people who said they were very confident in the quality of the HSA’s health care rose from 8.5 per cent 17 months ago to 11 per cent this year, with 59 respondents choosing this option.
Interestingly, more people with confidence in the quality of the HSA’s health care left comments while participating in the poll.
“I’m as confident as I am anywhere else in the world,” said one person.
“I think Greg Hoeksema did a great job of restoring a sense of competency at the hospital,” said someone else. “It’s unfortunate that he’s now left, but I have more confidence now that the situation at the hospital, which had been unsettled for many years, is under control.”
“I had to get some emergency treatment there recently and after I got past the rather uninterested person at the check-in, I found the medical staff quite good,” said another respondent. “I went in fearing the worst and was pleasantly surprised.”
“The care here in terms of doctors is equal if not better than other countries,” commented one person. “The problem lies with the nursing care. I have spent time in hospitals in the US and here in Cayman and I have to say the nursing care in the US was excellent. Some of the nurses here are surly, uncaring and couldn’t be bothered. That is not to say all were bad, but the bad apples far outreach the one good one, and the good one, well, she wasn’t all that good.”
“Better than some Caribbean islands, but still needs improvement,” said another person.
“What a question to ponder the week before my surgery,” said someone else. “But I’ve had three pre-op lab visits so far and I rate them A+.”
“I’m confident of the capabilities of the hospital; my issue is how care is given on a tier basis of amazing treatment provided for some, and others left to fall between the cracks,” said one person. “The reason I stopped using them was even with private insurance, they made me feel like I was begging for their service, but I must admit their maternity ward is No. 1.”
Only 22 people – 4.1 per cent – responded ‘I don’t know’ to the question.
Next week’s poll question
Which of these artistic events in Cayman do you enjoy the most?
Art@Governor’s
Muzaic Music Festival
Cayman Arts Festival
Cayfest
Other (write in comments)
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