The Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability has opened a public consultation on the Health Practice (Amendment) Bill, 2026, inviting feedback from healthcare practitioners, health sector stakeholders and members of the public.
The proposed amendments seek to update existing legislation and strengthen the regulatory framework governing healthcare practice in the Cayman Islands. The Bill would introduce regulations establishing consistent professional standards across the healthcare sector as part of the Government's work to strengthen regulatory oversight and support patient safety.
Licensed healthcare practitioners are entrusted with the health and wellbeing of their patients. Maintaining that trust requires clear professional standards and accountability for those licensed to practise in the Cayman Islands.
The proposed amendments would introduce overarching standards that apply across the healthcare sector. Under this framework, each professional Council would develop codes of practice and professional standards specific to the responsibilities, risks and scope of practice within its profession. Establishing sector-wide standards is intended to provide a clearer regulatory foundation while allowing profession-specific guidance to be developed by the Councils responsible for oversight of their respective practitioners.
For example, patients must be able to clearly understand their diagnosis, treatment options and associated risks before giving consent. Consistent standards, including expectations around professional communication and language proficiency, are intended to support clear communication between practitioners and patients while providing regulatory Councils with clearer tools to address concerns where standards are not met.
Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, Katherine Ebanks-Wilks said the consultation provides an opportunity for stakeholders and the public to contribute to the development of the legislative framework.
"The health system we build today will serve the Cayman Islands for decades to come. Updating legislation and strengthening professional standards helps reinforce the trust patients place in healthcare practitioners. This consultation invites practitioners, stakeholders and members of the public to help shape a framework that protects patients, supports professionals and ensures our healthcare system continues to meet the needs of our community."
"This Bill also fulfils the Public Accounts Committee's Required Undertaking issued in 2018/19, which directed the Ministry to provide an update on plans to develop and roll out a national healthcare standards programme. By bringing forward this legislation, the Ministry is addressing that directive while establishing a clear framework for consistent healthcare standards across the sector."
If adopted, the proposed framework would:
- provide clearer guidance to practitioners to support contemporary standards of care;
- strengthen legal and ethical safeguards, including in areas such as consent, safeguarding, digital communication and scope of practice;
- support more effective regulatory oversight by professional Councils; and
- strengthen patient confidence in the healthcare system.
The public consultation will run until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, 28 April 2026. Members of the public and stakeholders can review the proposed Bill and consultation materials at publicconsultation.gov.ky. Submissions may also be sent by email to MOHFEEDBACK@GOV.KY. All responses received during the consultation period will be reviewed and considered before the legislation is finalised and brought forward for consideration in Parliament.