The major news in the 22 May 1974 issue of the Cayman Compass was the announcement of the government’s plan to modernise the George Town Hospital to bring “hospital and health services on par with any institution of its size anywhere in the world”. The $600,000 project included completely redesigning the entire inpatient department comprising 31 rooms, with a brand new obstetrics section, and a central sewerage treatment plant. The work, which was to start in September, was expected to take eight months.
Responding to that news, the Compass editorial noted that “Cayman will be able to boast of one of the best hospital services” when the renovations are completed. While the government will be giving the people of Cayman “a hospital in keeping with the highest standards anywhere in every sense of the word”, the Compass pointed out that people needed to undergo “a change in attitude” since both Caymanians and expatriates would fly to Jamaica and Miami for treatment of both minor and serious illnesses. The editorial ended with: “We commend our Hospital to the country as a whole, as we say ‘bravo’ to the Government on this issue.”
The newspaper also included an ad for the post of prison officer (trainee) to head a proposed Prisons Service, an idea which was praised in the editorial of the 8 May 1974 Compass. The successful male Caymanian candidate would need to undergo training overseas, most likely in the UK. During his two-year probation, his salary would range from $5,832 to $6,744; once confirmed in the role, his salary would be from $7,200 to $8,004.
And, finally, a photo on page 7 of the newspaper showed a “satisfied” group of 11 Triple C graduates (two were not pictured) at their celebratory banquet in the Royal Palms.
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