(CNS): The Ministry of Health has commissioned another independent diagnostic assessment from Ernst & Young (EY) as part of its reform of all aspects of the local health sector. Following the damning report published in August about compromised care at the Health Services Authority, the consultants will focus on the Department of Health Regulatory Services (DHRS).
In this review, the department’s governance, organisational structure, operations and regulatory responsibilities will be assessed to identify opportunities to strengthen its effectiveness and ensure it is equipped to meet the evolving needs of the Cayman’s healthcare sector, according to a release from the ministry.
This assessment is part of the work to review and strengthen the governance of key components of the system. Together with the report on the HSA, it will inform a broader approach to healthcare reform, helping ensure that the institutions responsible for delivering and regulating healthcare are effectively governed, appropriately resourced and equipped to fulfil their respective roles, the release said.
Health Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks said the reviews represent an important opportunity to strengthen the foundations of healthcare in the Cayman Islands.
“Ultimately, health reform must make a meaningful difference to the people we serve,” she said. “Our responsibility is to build a healthcare system that our community can have confidence in, one that is well governed, effectively regulated and equipped to meet the needs of our people, not just today, but for generations to come. These reviews are an important step towards that future.”
The DHRS oversees the regulatory framework for most areas of the healthcare system, including the regulation of Cayman’s increasingly troublesome private health insurance regime. Its remit also covers the regulation of healthcare professionals and practices through the Health Insurance Commission, the Health Practice Commission, and professional regulatory councils.
The assessment will examine how these functions are organised and delivered, including governance arrangements, the allocation of roles and responsibilities, operational processes, systems, and the supporting legislative framework, the release said. EY will also consider relevant international regulatory practices and feedback from individuals and organisations that interact with DHRS.
The ministry said the findings will help it identify practical improvements to governance, operations, resources and a future operating model, supporting an effective and responsive regulatory system that meets the needs of patients, healthcare professionals, health facilities and insurers.
As part of the assessment, EY will consult the ministry, the DHRS and professional regulatory councils and commissions to understand the current regulatory framework and how responsibilities are carried out.
Feedback will also be sought from healthcare practitioners, health facilities, health insurers and other relevant stakeholders about their experiences with the regulatory system. Three surveys will be conducted: one for DHRS staff, one for healthcare practitioners and health facility representatives, and one for health insurance representatives.
Each survey is expected to take approximately five to ten minutes to complete. Survey responses will complement interviews, workshops, document reviews and other analysis undertaken as part of the assessment, helping ensure that the findings reflect both operational evidence and stakeholder experiences.
EY Consulting Partner Cerena Mitchell said the assessment will bring together operational information and stakeholder perspectives to identify practical opportunities for strengthening health regulation.
“Effective regulation depends on clear governance, well-designed processes and the ability to adapt as the sector evolves. Through this assessment, we are bringing together operational evidence, stakeholder perspectives and international regulatory practices to identify practical opportunities to strengthen DHRS and support its future development,” she said.
At the conclusion of the assessment, EY will provide a report setting out its findings and recommendations for how DHRS should be governed and operate in the future, including roles and responsibilities, operational effectiveness, resources and options for its future operating model. The report will include a high-level implementation roadmap.
Chief Officer Tamara Ebanks said the assessment will provide a clearer understanding of DHRS’s current capabilities and operational requirements. “The assessment will examine DHRS’s structure, governance arrangements, processes and operational needs to identify any gaps, duplication or opportunities to improve the delivery of its responsibilities,” she said.
“Having a clear understanding of how DHRS operates will help the ministry determine where changes, resources or other interventions may be needed to strengthen its effectiveness and support its future development.”
The ministry intends to publish the report once the assessment is complete, and will consider its recommendations in determining the next steps. Further updates will be provided as the work progresses, the release said.
Surveys were distributed to healthcare practitioners, health facility representatives and health insurance representatives from Tuesday, 20 October, and will close on Tuesday, 3 November.
Anyone who has not received the survey or requires assistance or more information can email MHESsurvey@gov.ky