The People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) has called for a detailed implementation plan to address “serious and systemic weaknesses” identified in an independent review of the Health Services Authority (HSA).
The official opposition party, in an 11 August press release, said members welcomed the completion and full publication of the KPMG-led governance review.
The document, which was released to the public on 6 August, outlined 11 challenges and 47 opportunities to improve how the HSA is managed and held accountable.
The PPM, however, urged the government to produce a clearer action plan on the path forward.
“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,” the party said.
A public dashboard, tracking deadlines, progress made and the reasons for implementation delays, would “provide meaningful accountability”, the press release added.
Health minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, speaking during a 6 August press conference, referred to a “centrally accessible” dashboard that would monitor performance indicators, alongside a series of other benchmark tools to be established in the short, medium and long term.
She said the ministry viewed all of the report’s recommendations as a priority, adding: “None of them are being set aside. The only difference will be the timeline for implementation.”
An early priority will be establishment of a governance implementation steering group, as well as publication every six months of progress reports, both measures welcomed by the PPM.
New COO role
Ebanks-Wilks also announced the creation of a chief operating officer role at the HSA, “strengthening accountability at an executive level and operational oversight”.
The role, she added, would allow the CEO “to focus on the broader strategic direction of the HSA”.
The PPM said this proposed appointment could improve day-to-day governance, “but 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 press release continued.
“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.”
The PPM also proposed succession planning to develop Caymanian talent, should a Caymanian not be selected as the successful COO candidate.
The creation of a COO position was a suggestion made in the KPMG report, which proposed introducing the role to “strengthen operational oversight, improve coordination of service delivery, and drive implementation of strategic portfolios”.
Past reform questions
The opposition also called for reform accountability that considered past issues, “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 said.
During the 6 August press conference, Ebanks-Wilks spoke broadly about consulting past reports and unimplemented policies as “a good place to start” and pointed to having “an organised framework” to align priorities.
The minister also said a separate, “independent clinical and operational” review will be commissioned to assess the HSA’s “day-to-day operational performance”.
The opposition said that review should proceed without delay, with its terms of reference, timeline and cost made public.
