The Health Practice (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has been passed in Parliament, marking an important step in strengthening and clarifying the regulatory framework governing healthcare practice in the Cayman Islands.
The Bill amends the Health Practice Act (2026 Revision) to empower the Cabinet to make Regulations prescribing overarching standards of professional practice that apply to every registered healthcare practitioner. While professional standards have previously existed through codes and guidance developed by individual Councils, this amendment introduces, for the first time, a formal mechanism for establishing consistent, legally binding standards across all healthcare professions, creating a unified baseline for professional practice.
Under the amendments, the Cabinet will be able to make regulations setting out professional standards covering key areas of healthcare practice, including:
· professional responsibilities and clinical practice;
· licensing, performance and scope of practice;
· consent and capacity to consent;
· prescribing and handling of medicines;
· clinical trials and research;
· patient-related standards, safety, and
· principles of trust, honesty and integrity.
Professional Councils will continue to play a central role in regulation. Each Council will remain responsible for preparing and publishing profession-specific codes of practice for the practitioners they regulate. However, the legislation makes clear that where there is any inconsistency between Cabinet-prescribed standards and a Council’s code, the Cabinet’s standards will prevail to the extent of that inconsistency.
Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, said the passage of the Bill represents a significant advancement in the country’s approach to healthcare regulation. “The passage of this legislation reflects our commitment to ensuring that healthcare in the Cayman Islands is guided by clear, consistent and enforceable standards. By establishing overarching standards that apply to all practitioners, while maintaining the role of professional Councils, we are strengthening patient protections and enhancing the quality and accountability of care across the system.”
The amendments provide greater clarity on what is expected of all registered practitioners, particularly in relation to clinical practice, patient care, ethical conduct and professional accountability. They also strengthen the ability of the regulatory framework to respond consistently to risks and uphold standards across all professions.
The Bill also fulfils a Required Undertaking issued by the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee in 2018/19 to advance the development of a national healthcare standards framework.
The passage of the Bill follows a period of public consultation, during which feedback was received from healthcare practitioners, stakeholders and members of the public. That input informed the finalisation of the legislation brought before Parliament. Implementation of the new standards will proceed through regulations issued by Cabinet, alongside continued collaboration with professional Councils and sector stakeholders.