The Health Authority of Anguilla has just completed a review of its operations during the second quarter of the year, some 190 days since its establishment. The review was to receive feedback from Heads of Department on the level of implementation of objectives; identify constraints to the achievement of those objectives; and present plans and programmes for the third quarter.

L-R: Mr. Dexter James, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks, Hon. Victor Banks, Hon. Eric Reid and Mr. Foster Rogers

Chief Executive Officer, Dexter James, speaking at the opening ceremony at Paradise Cove on July 9, began his introductory remarks with praise for Minister of Social Development, Eric Reid. “The adjective ‘Honourable’ is indeed fitting for such a statesman who is perhaps singularly responsible for the implementation of the newest statutory body in Anguilla,” he said in welcoming the Minister.

Mr. James was joined later by Chairperson of the Health Authority, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks, who said it was Mr. Reid’s determination, conviction and persistence that led to the establishment of the body. “It was your insight, foresight and courage that took the Health Authority of Anguilla from a bureaucratic idea that was hanging around on shelves to the vibrant reality that it is today,” she told him.

It was the first time that the Minister, who had been out of office as a result of circumstances relating to his vision, was at a Health Authority meeting.

Cross section of the Health Authority Board of Directors, Committee members and staff

In a summary of the activities of the Health Authority during the period April to June, Mr. James said the body was approved to pursue a process of accreditation. The approval was given by the Canadian Council for Health Services Accreditation based on the leadership competencies and the relative stable environment of the health services.

He said the Board was committed to ensuring that employees at all levels were provided with training opportunities to meet the challenges of the ever-demanding population. Among the initiatives to that end are that four senior nursing managers will be attached to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Dominica for four weeks as from August 9 to gain helpful exposure and experience at a larger institution.

As a further step to strengthen work management capacity, Emergency Medical Services staff members are also being trained. Four of them will be exposed to a three-month training programme to be delivered by the Windward Islands Emergency Medical Services in St. Maarten as from September. Following this, all of the EMS technicians will participate in a four-month re-certification programme administered by the Washington EMS Services in the District of Columbia. There are also plans to upgrade the ambulance service.

Cross section of the Health Authority Board of Directors, Committee members and staff

Other training initiatives included a series of workshop sessions on self-development to facilitate organisational change and professional advancement undertaken by Clinical Psychologist, Dr. M. O. Linda Banks. The sessions involved all the employees of the Health Authority.

Arrangements are being finalised to have at least twenty personal care attendants certified as part of the commitment to strengthen the community care programme. The training will be for six to eight weeks with direct support from Alberta College in Canada and facilitated by local expertise. The programme will be launched towards the end of September this year.

“Colleagues, the above initiatives speak to our organisational orientation that is built around creating a learning environment,” Mr. James said. “We are sparing no ends to the extent that it is financially possible to ensure that all levels of staff are adequately trained to meet the changing health environment.”

Cross section of the Health Authority Board of Directors, Committee members and staff

Dr. Fleming-Banks spoke on the challenges facing the Health Authority which was established in a pre-election year and the politics that would result. “While the business of politics will continue in that mode for the foreseeable future, we must remind ourselves that the business of the Health Authority of Anguilla is the people’s business. We are responsible and accountable not only to the political directorate but more importantly to the people of Anguilla,” she advised.

She continued: “This mandate to provide quality health care and prudent management of the resources in health services is indeed a very serious one. In this service, which provides care for people at a time when they are most vulnerable, we have no settled opportunities to make a good impression. One of the things is that the population demands excellence at all times; and since meeting the health needs of the population is our business, we have to sharpen our tools and train our teams to provide the professionalism with consistency.”

She added that it was with great anticipation that the reports on the implementation of objectives by the various Department Heads and plans for the months ahead were being awaited.

Ministers Victor Banks and Eric Reid

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, Foster Rogers, commented that the Health Authority was established for issues of equity, access to health care services and to improve health care delivery in a very efficient and effective way. He commended the Health Authority for its achievements to date. He noted that in his address at the establishment of the body in December last year, the Minister, Mr. Reid, had requested it to deliver the expected improved services.

“I dare say you have delivered,” Mr. Rogers stated.

Following the opening ceremony, the Annual Services Agreement, whereby the Health Authority is to deliver quality services, was signed. The signatories were Minister of Finance, Victor Banks; Foster Rogers on behalf of the Ministry of Social Development, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks and Mr. Dexter James.

The presentation of reports were on Medical Services, Nursing and Dental Services; Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services; Nutrition and Health Promotion; Support Services; and Corporate matters which included Human Resources and Finance.

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