Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Sue Nicholson, Manager of The Pines	Franz Manderson, Chief Immigration Officer

The Chief Immigration Officer (CIO), Franz Manderson, has confirmed that he is working on a proposal to Cabinet to get staff exemptions for The Pines Retirement Home. This development comes after The Pines' not receiving a response for several weeks from the Ministry of Health Services and appealing to the Governor for help. According to the Manager of The Pines, Sue Nicholson, she was greatly relieved that this problem was finally being addressed.

And although there are no assurances that Cabinet will give The Pines staff exemptions, she at least knows that it will get the highest attention it deserves as most of the staff are over the seven-year term limits and The Pines is not a government facility so staff are not automatically exempt.

"About 70 percent of our staff do not have permanent residency and are over the seven year term limits," said Ms Nicholson. "And many of our staff have had high blood pressure, because they are so stressed that they will receive a letter and will be asked to leave by the end of the month. But Mr Manderson assured me that nothing like that was going to happen." Ms Nicholson said that she was very relieved that someone had taken up the cause.

"Although Mr Manderson did not give me a time frame when the proposal would be submitted, I got the impression that it was imminent when we talked. I am just so relieved that someone is paying attention to us," she added.

She said that her fight to obtain staff exemptions is not just for the sake of the employees but also for the residents, because they get attached to the staff as if they were family. When a staff member leaves it is like losing a family member. She said that recently an employee left because her husband was nearing the seven-year term limit and the residents hated it.

"These are not young people. You can't give them more time. You can only give them quality of life with the time they have left," she stated.

Ms Nicholson's other big concern is raising the remaining 50 percent of the $5 million necessary for a new building. The current building was only intended for 25 patients, but it currently has 35 patients and can only use two-thirds of the building because of damage from Hurricane Ivan.

She has proposed that Government provide 50 percent of the costs as Government places 70 percent of the patients. The remaining 50 percent is being raised from private donations.

However, she has still received no word on when and if that proposal will be addressed in Cabinet.

The Pines still has a monthly cash flow shortage of a $15,000 a month. Part of the shortfall is that operating costs for each patient are at $2500 per month. But Government only reimburses The Pines $1300 each month. Since the majority of patients are Government placements, the $1300 expenses not covered add up to a $15,000 monthly shortfall.

Ms Nicholson stated that some individuals have come forward and are now sending cheques for whatever they can afford to help out, but as yet, no additional corporations have stepped forward to assist with operating expenses. She said most corporations prefer to donate money for a one- time project or a piece of equipment and shy away from ongoing operating expenses.

Ms Nicholson explained that the need for nursing care facilities like The Pines will only grow as the Cayman population becomes older. Currently there are 3600 people who are over 65 in this country. This number is expected to more than triple by 2025 with approximately 11,300 people over the age of 65.

shurna@caymannetnews.com

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