After weeks of mounting public concern about governance at the Health Services Authority, government has moved to reset the board and place the organisation under independent scrutiny, signalling what the Minister of Health described as a period of transition for Cayman’s public healthcare system.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, 31 Jan., Minister for Health Katherine Ebanks-Wilks announced the appointment of a new Health Services Authority board, alongside the commissioning of a 10-week governance audit led by KPMG.
“Change is difficult, and what we are embarking on now is a period of transition,” Ebanks-Wilks said, adding that there will be “no shortage of work” and “difficult decisions on the horizon”.
The announcement follows the mid-January resignation of four HSA board members: chairwoman Joy Vernon and members Hazel Brown, Tayvis Walters and Tricia McElroy. It also comes amid recent changes to board remuneration, with payments shifted from a per-meeting basis to a fixed monthly rate after concerns were raised about the volume of meetings.
According to a Cayman Compass investigation, the board met 190 times between the start of 2024 and June 2025 – more than 10 meetings a month – at a cost to the authority of more than half a million dollars in total under the per-meeting remuneration structure.
To maintain continuity, Cabinet moved to appoint replacements, reshaping the board while it said it sought to reinforce government’s expectations around accountability, clarity of roles and alignment with national health priorities.
The newly-approved appointments see Timothy Ridley named as chairperson, with Omari Corbin, Buck Grizzel and Peter Spratt joining as directors. They will serve alongside existing board members Dr. Neeley Panton, the board’s deputy chairperson, Petrina Moore and Michelle Coleman.
According to the ministry, the current board composition brings together experience across healthcare, finance, regulation, technology and law, positioning it to carry out its statutory responsibilities and support government’s 2026–2028 Strategic Policy Statement.
Ebanks-Wilks said the board understands not only what is expected of it, but also the broader vision government is working towards and has committed to serve during what is expected to be a demanding reform period.
KPMG governance audit
The reset at the HSA is being paired with an independent governance audit that will examine both the board and senior leadership. The review, which began on 12 Jan. and is being conducted by professional services firm KPMG, is intended to provide a clear picture of what is working within the authority, where gaps exist and what changes are required.
Acknowledging longstanding public calls for greater transparency at the HSA, Ebanks-Wilks committed to releasing the full findings of the KPMG report once it is completed.
“I give my commitment to you today that I will … be sharing the entire findings of the KPMG report with the public,” she said, adding that government would also provide clear updates on how recommendations are implemented and tracked over time.
The assessment will examine governance structures, leadership capability and operational effectiveness, with the stated aim of strengthening the authority and supporting longer-term health system reform.
“The HSA plays an essential role in our healthcare landscape,” the minister said. “It is imperative that we understand both what is working and what needs improvement; and take the necessary steps to strengthen governance, improve accountability, enhance transparency and increase efficiency.”
Chief Officer for Health Tamara Ebanks said the appointment of new board members was a critical step toward strengthening HSA’s governance and operational effectiveness.
“Their combined experience will provide strong oversight and support the management of delivering high-quality and sustainable health services,” she said.
Scope of work ahead
KPMG’s targeted diagnostic is intended to support the Ministry of Health and Wellness in driving system-wide improvements, advancing national health priorities and informing longer-term reform and strategic planning.
Over the 10-week engagement, KPMG will assess the performance, composition and capabilities of the HSA board and senior management against international best practice, identify governance and operational gaps affecting the authority’s effectiveness and deliver evidence-based insights with priority recommendations to guide system-level transformation.
The review will also focus on strengthening strategic alignment between the HSA, the ministry and broader national health objectives.
The firm’s work at the HSA will include stakeholder interviews, document reviews and surveys, with findings validated by both the ministry and the authority.
Members of the public will be invited to participate through electronic and hard-copy surveys, while HSA staff will also have the opportunity to share their experiences and recommendations.
Ebanks said the goal is not only institutional reform but improved collaboration between the ministry, the board and HSA leadership.
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It seems that some board members may have been retained, given the circumstances should not the whole Board have been replaced?