Topic: Health Services Authority
New telemedicine robot to aid mental health care efforts
The Health Services Authority is expanding the use of its new upgraded ‘RP Sally’ telemedical remote presence robot to help patients facing mental health challenges.
HSA workers in court on corruption charges
Health Services Authority employees Dominic Fernando Dacres and Nick Romano Smith appeared in Summary Court Tuesday on charges of false accounting and obtaining property by deception.
HSA doctors on high alert for vaping, e-cigarette illnesses
The Health Services Authority has confirmed that its medical staff treated two e-cigarette users but stopped short of linking their symptoms with the use of those products.
HSA medical director receives humanitarian award
Health Services Authority Medical Director Dr. Delroy Jefferson, who has spent his annual leave for the past 15 years on volunteer medical missions, has been honoured for his humanitarian efforts.
New specialist at public hospital
The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority has recruited a full-time medical haematologist-oncologist to help enhance its blood diseases and cancer care services.
Charges brought in hospital security probe
Two men have been charged with various corruption offences in connection with a probe into alleged abuses of overtime by security staff at the Health Services Authority.
Cayman’s hospitals prepare medical supplies for Bahamas
Cayman’s medical community banded together on Thursday to prepare a shipment of supplies for the storm-ravaged people of the Bahamas. Representatives of the Health Services Authority, CTMH Doctors Hospital and Health City Cayman Islands all contributed to the effort to send supplies.
Hospital overflow car park to close next week
The Seventh-day Adventist Church parking lot on Smith Road, which is used for overflow parking for the Cayman Islands Hospital, will be closed to all vehicle and foot traffic from Sunday, 1 Sept., through Friday, 6 Sept.
Health Services Authority welcomes 91 interns
More than 90 interns are spending at least part of their summer at the Health Services Authority.
Empowering parents for World Breastfeeding Week
The Health Services Authority, in partnership with the Cayman Islands Breastfeeding Support Group, is encouraging parents in Cayman to avail of local resources as World Breastfeeding Week gets under way.
Free hepatitis screenings Tuesday
The Health Services Authority and Cayman Islands Red Cross will offer free health screenings for hepatitis on Tuesday, 30 July, from 9am to 1pm at the Red Cross Administration Offices, Cayman Corporate Centre on Hospital Road.
Chemotherapy Unit upgrades cancer hair loss treatment
The Health Services Authority Chemotherapy Unit has upgraded its cold cap therapy with a scalp cooling system that will improve efficiency of the treatment and provide a more comfortable experience for patients hoping to prevent or reduce the loss of their hair as a result of chemotherapy.
Free HIV tests this week
Cayman Islands healthcare officials are offering free HIV tests this week to mark HIV Testing Week, and in support of National Testing Day and Regional HIV Testing Day which are observed on Thursday, 27 June.
Cayman loses community advocate Bev Banks
The story of Beverly Adma Banks’s life was one of love – love for her community and her fellow man. An advocate for women, the disadvantaged and the sick, Banks touched and changed many lives in Cayman and across the Caribbean.
Delayed mental health facility moving forward
The chairman of the Cayman Islands Mental Health Commission says while plans for a new inpatient mental health facility in East End have been delayed, they are still moving forward and he is hopeful the project could be completed within the next year.
$38,000 donation buys hospital respiratory machine
The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority has purchased a new respiratory machine to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with breathing and chronic lung problems following a donation of $38,000 from the Cayman Islands Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Blood bank reaches donation record
The Cayman Islands Blood Bank received donations from a record number of 1,529 individuals in 2018. The nearly 20% increase in donors over the previous year helped the blood bank decrease imports from the United States, according to the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority.
Emergency responders give CPR lessons
Emergency Medical Services staff taught members of the public last week how to perform hands-only CPR and how to stop bleeding, as part of an education initiative.
New Bodden Town clinic to offer more services
There is, as of yet, no designated site, but a new and larger health clinic serving Bodden Town is expected to be under construction by 2021.
Health Services Authority receives first clean audit report
The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority has received its first clean audit opinion from the auditor general for its 2018 financial statements.
Health Services Authority Easter hours
The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority advises that while the Accident and Emergency department of the Cayman Islands Hospital in George Town will remain open throughout the Easter holiday, clinics and health centres will have limited opening times this weekend.
EDITORIAL – Finding a cure for skyrocketing healthcare costs
But there is no question that something must be done to stop the out-of-control growth in government’s healthcare obligations and expenditures. Our current path is simply not sustainable.
Hospital overtime investigation remains under wraps
A government report into the possible abuse of overtime by security staff at the Health Services Authority cannot be released until a criminal investigation on the matter is complete, the Ombudsman has ruled.
Auditor finds vast differences in pay to board members
From the port boss who receives just $150 per meeting to the utilities director who is paid more than $50,000-a-year, an auditor general’s investigation found vast disparity in the pay handed out to the men and women appointed to the boards of some of the Cayman Islands’ most important institutions.
Ambulance involved in three-vehicle crash
An ambulance responding to an emergency call was involved in a three-vehicle collision at a roundabout in George Town Friday morning. No patient was in the ambulance at the time.
Christmas boost for thousands of government workers
Thousands of workers are effectively getting a Christmas bonus with the news that government has sanctioned cost of living salary adjustments for the majority of statutory authorities and government companies.
Heaviest twins born to Cayman family
Katrina Banks and Daniel Diaz Sr. received an early Christmas present last Wednesday when Mrs. Banks gave birth to the heaviest twins on record to be born in Cayman, according to the Health Services Authority.
Hospital overtime audit withheld amid criminal probe
The Health Services Authority has refused to release an internal audit report into “irregularities” in overtime payments made to security staff at the hospital, citing the fact that the matter is under investigation by law enforcement.
Government settles out of court in immunity clause case
Government has settled out of court with the family at the center of the legal battle over the controversial “section 12” clause that protected negligent doctors from lawsuits.
East End health center to improve disabled parking
The Health Services Authority is creating a new parking area at its East End District Health Centre specifically for patients with mobility issues.
Maples and Calder hosts two in-house blood drives
Following the success of the first mobile blood drive conducted by the Health Services Authority earlier this year, Maples and Calder partnered with the Cayman Islands Blood Bank to host two in-house mobile blood drives for their employees during the month of August.
First round of lawsuits filed over HSA debts
Several lawsuits were filed this month in the Cayman Islands government’s first attempt to take residents to court over past-due medical bills.
Cayman documentary on sexual abuse to feature at international conference
A documentary about child sexual abuse made in the Cayman Islands will be featured at the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect’s congressbeing held in Prague this September.
Immigration reviewing detention of Cuban migrants
The Department of Immigration is “reviewing alternatives” to keeping the 13 asylum-seeking Cuban migrants detained at the Immigration Detention Centre while their asylum applications are being processed, the department stated on Wednesday.
On Cayman Brac, hospital staff must be ready for anything
With only a little more than 2,000 people to serve on Cayman Brac, on many days the hospital’s activity matches the island’s tranquil atmosphere. But it does not take much for that to change, according to Dr. Srirangan Velusamy, the director of the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority’s Sister Islands Health Services.
Hospital security workers arrested in corruption probe
Two supervisors at the Health Services Authority’s security office were arrested Monday in connection with an ongoing criminal probe into staff overtime payments.
60 learn mental health first aid
Sixty people have trained in mental health first aid in ongoing two-day courses run by the Health Services Authority.
Public hospital hires cancer specialist
The Health Services Authority has hired Dr. Basil Armonis as a full-time oncologist at the Cayman Islands Hospital as part of efforts to enhance cancer care services at the hospital.
Hospital appointment reminder service launched
More than 6,000 outpatients a year miss their scheduled hospital appointments, according to Health Services Authority officials. To combat the high number of missed appointments, the HSA is launching an Appointment Reminder Service.
Untreated biomedical waste dumped at Brac landfill
Untreated biomedical waste from Faith Hospital is being dumped at the Cayman Brac landfill, a manner of disposal that may violate public health regulations.
Government pharmacies have technical difficulties
The Health Services Authority sent out a public advisory on Monday warning patients that technical difficulties are causing delays in filling pharmacy prescriptions.
Health Services Authority launches mobile dental unit
The Health Services Authority has acquired a new mobile dental unit, which will be dedicated to providing general dental services to government primary schools that do not have in-house dental clinics.
Medical technologists conference to be held in Cayman
The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority, in collaboration with their colleagues from across the Caribbean and the United States, will host the bi-annual Regional Council Meeting for the Caribbean Association of Medical Technologists in Cayman next week.
Cayman seeks to improve detection of heart disease
The Cayman Heart Fund has provided a US$14,000 donation that will be used by the Health Services Authority to further train professionals in detecting and managing heart disease and heart rhythm problems.
Health clinics closed for Easter holiday
The George Town General Practice clinic and District Health Centres will be closed on Good Friday, March 30, and Easter Monday, April 2, the Health Services Authority advised.
First mobile blood drive sets record
Fifty-two pints of blood – the most ever collected on island in a single day – has been recorded in Cayman’s first mobile blood drive.
HSA offering free kidney, health screenings
To mark World Kidney Day and International Women’s Day 2018, the Health Services Authority is hosting a free health screening clinic focusing on kidneys and women’s health on Thursday.
Rotary offers free health screening
Rotary Central and Health Services Authority experts are offering free health checks and advice islandwide on Saturday.
Corruption cops notified of Health Services Authority overtime probe
The Cayman Islands Anti-Corruption Commission has been notified of an ongoing internal audit at the Health Services Authority regarding “irregularities” in overtime payments to security officers.
Cayman working with UK on developing hazmat response
Hazard Management Cayman Islands is developing a plan for dealing with hazardous materials in the territory, the government announced on Friday.
Hand, foot and mouth disease continuing to spread locally
The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority is increasing its efforts to control an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease that has surfaced in recent weeks.
Hospital security staff suspended in overtime probe
The Cayman Islands government’s Internal Audit Service is looking into “irregularities” in overtime payments made to security officers working at the Health Services Authority, the Cayman Compass has confirmed.
High demand for vaccines in busy flu season
Cayman’s flu longer-than-usual season rages on, but a larger-than-usual stock of vaccines and medication ordered by public health officials last year means doses are still available.
Conference celebrates the art of living well
More than 1,000 visitors – no doubt many of them staying true to their New Year’s resolutions for self-improvement – attended the inaugural “LiveWell” health, wellness and beauty event at the Camana Bay Arts and Recreation Center on Saturday.
Auditor general identifies government’s ‘biggest losers’
The Cayman Islands auditor general has revealed the government entities with the largest financial losses, stating that most – if not all of them – cannot continue operating without significant future taxpayer support.
HSA and Health City join forces to save farmer’s life
Some quick thinking and an innovative use of existing technology helped the Health Services Authority and Health City Cayman Islands in saving the life of a Jamaican farmer.
Free HIV/AIDS testing offered
Six days of free HIV/AIDS testing and counseling begin Monday in honor of World AIDS Day. The free tests are being offered Nov. 27-Dec. 2
A gala night for Hedge Funds Care
Members of Cayman’s hedge funds industry gathered at the Kimpton Seafire resort Saturday night to help raise funds to combat child abuse and to treat the victims of abuse.
Free checks for premature babies
The Health Services Authority will offer free developmental checks next week for babies that were born prematurely.
Free diabetes screenings offered
The Health Services Authority and the Lions Club of Tropical Gardens will be offering free health screening on World Diabetes Day, Tuesday, Nov. 14 at the Cayman Islands Hospital atrium.
Speaker questions PAC role
Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush noted a “concern” Wednesday that the Legislative Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee had overstepped its role in recent months, wading into areas such as employment within the government service.
Seasonal flu shots available
Seasonal flu shots for 2018-19 are available in limited supply at District Health Centres throughout the Cayman Islands.
UCCI graduates first nursing class
Seeing the first class of Cayman-trained registered nurses complete their studies was as much a relief for Terica Larmond as it was a celebration.
EDITORIAL – Public health agency needs policy reform, not personal attacks
By now, the troubles of the Health Services Authority are well-documented and well-known. Everyone in the Cayman Islands is aware that years of mismanagement at HSA have resulted in uncollected debts, cash shortfalls and other problematic “symptoms” about which we editorialized just last week.
CEO: Health service ramping up collection efforts
Cayman Islands Health Services Authority officials appeared at the Legislative Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee meeting for the second time this month on Tuesday to answer questions about their efforts to collect millions of dollars of debt, and to be grilled about the qualifications of its top officials.
Seafarers help two doctors complete studies
The Cayman Islands Seafarers Association and the Health Services Authority have signed an memorandum of understanding to provide scholarships for two Caymanian HSA doctors to complete their postgraduate studies in the field of medicine.
‘Victim blaming’ a concern in child abuse cases
Victim blaming risks legitimizing predators and makes sex crimes against children much more difficult to investigate, senior detectives and child safety advocates have warned.
Heart Survivors Wall unveiled at hospital
The Cayman Heart Fund and the Health Services Authority presented the Heart Survivors Wall on Friday at Cayman Islands Hospital, a tableau of local people who have survived a bout with heart disease.
Cayman authorized to test for Zika, dengue
Testing for mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika, dengue and chikungunya can now be carried out in the Cayman Islands after the Health Services Authority’s laboratory was authorized by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to do the screenings.
New panel seeks to improve HSA operations
A new Patient and Family Advisory Committee of the Health Services Authority met for the first time this month in an effort to improve patient care at health facilities.
‘Wholly without merit’: Court rejects Canover Watson’s appeal
After hearing former Health Services Authority Chairman Canover Watson’s application to appeal his fraud- and corruption-related convictions on Thursday afternoon, justices for the Court of Appeal adjourned for less than 10 minutes before returning with their decision.
On humanitarian trip to Anguilla, Irma brings back memories of Ivan
When Premier Alden McLaughlin first stepped on the ground of hurricane-ravaged Anguilla on Tuesday afternoon, he said he had a flashback to September 2004. “It brought back in a rush the images, smells and feelings of the aftermath of Ivan."
