Unregistered health providers face hefty fines

(CNS): With the implementation of the National Standards for the registration of health practitioners which were published in April last year unregistered or failed health care providers who continue to practice without a certificate now face a possible $50,000 fine with a further daily fine of $10,000 for each day a facility operates without a certificate. The Health Practice Commission said that there has been a good response from practitioners regarding compliance but the public should ensure thatthe health facilities they visit are registered.

“To date, we have had a very good response from our health care practitioners and we hope to see full voluntary compliance,” said Cayman’s first Health Facilities Inspector Barrie Quappé. “Members of the public can check whether a health care facility is registered by looking for the facility certificate. This document should be on display in every health care facility. Any facility which does not possess a certificate is either not in compliance with the National Standards (as outlined in the Health Practice Law) or the facility has not registered and/or been inspected.”

According to sections 5, 6 and 7 of The Health Practice Law (2005 Revision), facility owners must apply to the HPC for their certification. This requirement applies to any facility “at which health services are provided by a registered practitioner”. Failing to do so can attract large penalties as outlined by section 15 of the law.

The National Standards were published in April 2010 after thorough stakeholder consultation and include provisions for building safety and sanitation. As such certain aspects of the inspection involve the Fire Services as well as the Planning Department. This document is available here. For further information on the Health Practice Commission and the inspection process, log on to www.dhrs.ky