Patients across the Cayman Islands will have greater access to safe, dignified care as the Health Services Authority (HSA) expands professional language and sign language interpretation services to support clearer communication throughout the healthcare experience.
Through the use of its interpretation service, HSA staff can now connect with trained interpreters in seconds on an iPad or desktop, enabling real-time communication in over 240 languages. This initiative, which provides communication in the patients' preferred language free of charge, demonstrates HSA’s continued commitment to inclusive, patient-centered care.
“Every patient deserves to be heard, no matter their language,” said HSA Chief Executive Officer Lizzette Yearwood. “At HSA, we deliver healthcare, but we also genuinely care for the people we serve. When patients can communicate in their own language, it builds trust, improves outcomes and ensures they feel respected and understood at some of their most vulnerable moments.”
The expansion also aligns with the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability’s ongoing public consultation on the Health Practice (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes strengthened professional standards and clearer expectations around patient communication across the healthcare sector. By enhancing access to professional interpreter services, HSA is supporting these priorities and reinforcing safe, patient-focused care.
The initiative is also grounded in international regulatory and safety requirements. Providing professional interpretation services is a critical component of safe, high-quality healthcare and aligns with global standards, including Joint Commission International accreditation requirements, as well as the Cayman Islands’ ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare regulation and professional standards.
Sophia Lyons, Quality Assurance and Risk Manager, emphasised the importance of the programme in reducing risk and strengthening care delivery. “Clear communication is fundamental to patient safety. Interpreter services help prevent misunderstandings, support accurate diagnoses and ensure patients fully understand their care plans. This is both a clinical necessity and a legal responsibility.”
Since its expansion in May 2025, the service has seen steady growth in usage across HSA facilities. In 2025 alone, staff facilitated 339 interpretation calls totaling over 3,100 minutes, with an average connection time of just six seconds, demonstrating how quickly support can be accessed. Spanish accounted for the majority of requests, alongside languages such as Tagalog, Tamil, French and American Sign Language.
Momentum has continued into 2026, with 124 calls recorded year-to-date and more than 1,400 minutes of interpreted care delivered, reflecting increasing usage among patients.
These services are designed to be easily accessible within clinical workflows. With just a few taps, staff can connect to an interpreter, ensuring communication support is available exactly when it is needed.
Staff across multiple departments have already embraced the service, using it successfully to support patient care in real-time.
Midwife Isobel James said that having quick access to an interpreter has been very helpful, reducing uncertainties and allowing conversations to flow naturally.
“I’ve had situations where a patient was anxious, maybe because she wasn’t sure if she’d fully understand what was happening during her care. But using the interpreter service made an immediate difference. We were able to clearly explain her options, answer her questions and ensure she felt safe and informed every step of the way,” she explained.
“I feel much more confident that my patients truly understand their care and it helps me build trust and rapport with them, which is especially important in the maternity setting.”
For more information on the HSA’s interpreter service and how to arrange for an interpreter, visit: [MS2] https://www.hsa.ky/patients-visitors/interpreter-services