Up Front
HospiceCare holds AGM
Health Minister, Mr. Linford Pierson,second left, poses with members of his staff and HospiceCare Personnelduring a tour of the facility on Crewe Road on Monday, January15. With the Minister are: (left to right) Mrs. Eloise Reid, DeputyDirector of Health Services; Diane Varral, palliative care nurse;Collin Ross, Assistant Permanent Secretary in the Ministry ofHealth; Andrea Bryan, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health;Belle Ebanks, Office Assistant Hospice Care; Linda Johnson, palliativecare nurse; and Mr. David Bird, HospiceCare Centre Chairman.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of CaymanHospiceCare was held at 5:30 pm on Wednesday January 17 at thePrincess Alexandra Room at the Pines.
Chairman Mr. David Bird, in his report to members, highlightedsome of the achievements of the year. Just being there was a considerableachievement, he said.
"When we started," Mr. Bird said, "we did so ona wing and a prayer. We were sure that the need existed for aservice which would bring dignity to the last days of the terminallyill, allowing them to be as far as possible symptom free and tolive an active life with their families as long as possible. Wehave certainly been convinced that our service was much neededand now have 14 patients under our care."
He said that the expressed gratitude of the surviving familiesshows that the nursing staff do a wonderful job in relieving suffering.
HospiceCare now has its own home in a magnificent example of alovingly-restored gingerbread house. It provides a familiar andcomfortable environment for the day-care patients and a gardensetting which all can enjoy.
Day-care service is now well-established and patients meet twicea week where they have the opportunity to interact with each otherand provide mutual support.
Mr. Bird also thanked the staff for their dedication and enthusiasmwhich runs far beyond what anyone had a right to expect, he said.He also thanked Lady Rita Johnson for consenting to be the Patronof Cayman HospiceCare. He said that hers had been "no figureheadappointment;" that she "has taken a real interest inour operations and has been active in fund raising."
Treasurer, Mr. Erwin Dikau then presented the Financial Statementswhich showed a solid base from which HospiceCare could go forward.However, the need to continue to actively raise funds still exists.
Mr. Nigel Clifford, a Director and member of the Management Committeetold the members that active recruitment for a third SpecialistNurse was underway to ensure that the present level of servicecould be maintained.
He stressed that this represented a significant financial commitment.Mr. Bird stated he was hopeful of getting some permanent fundingfrom Government; the preceding Monday, the Minister of Healthhad visited Cayman HospiceCare and had expressed support for itsefforts.
The following Directors were elected for the coming year:
David Bird - Chairman
Nigel Clifford
Susan Craig
Erwin Dikau - Treasurer
Jen Dixon
Nick Duggan,
Dr. Virginia Hobday
Dr. Helen Hughes
Bruce Putterill - Secretary
Roy Tatum
Mr. Bird concluded by thanking the membersfor their support. He said that not everyone has the time, orindeed the inclination, to get involved in direct relationshipswith the sick but can all contribute support to those who can.