Ascension : REVIEW OF HEALTH CARE PROVISION
Submitted by The Islander (Ascension Island Government) 21.01.2010 (Article Archived on 11.03.2010)

As part of the continuing process of modernisation to ensure that government services deliver what is needed and provide good value for money, AIG has commissioned a review of Health Care provision.

15 January 2010                                                                       

Administrator’s Office

                                                                                                     Administration Building

                                                                                                                          Georgetown

                                                                                                                          Ascension Island

ASCN 1ZZ        

REVIEW OF HEALTH CARE PROVISION

As part of the continuing process of modernisation to ensure that government services deliver what is needed and provide good value for money, AIG has commissioned a review of Health Care provision.

The review is being conducted, and funded, by the Department for International Development (DfID), and undertaken by Dr Nicolet Hutter of DfID and a consultant, Dr Pete Thompson.

The purpose is to review the cost-effectiveness and quality of health care provision for the population of Ascension Island and explore cost-effective options and pathways to quality health service provision on and off island and identify possible cost savings.

The reviews objectives are:

·         to provide a summary overview of current and future health needs;

·         to assess cost effectiveness of current health care provision for the population of Ascension, including primary, secondary and tertiary care provision on and off island, and provisions for distant advice/telemedicine;

·         to review infrastructure, staffing and financial and organisational management arrangements, including drug procurement, overseas laboratory, referral and medivac arrangements;

·         to provide an overview of health care costs over time, identify cost and efficiency savings that could be made without compromising the quality of care, including reviewing level of health cadre required on island (medical officer, nurse practitioner), arrangements for back-up support and referrals, alternative options for cost recovery mechanism and health insurance.

·         to develop an Ascension Island Health Policy.

·         based on Ascension’s current and future health needs and its geographical and socio-economic situation, to provide recommendations for future models of health care provision, including alternative cost recovery/insurance arrangements, appropriate cadre and level of health staff and appropriate back-up service and referral arrangements, professional development requirements of medical/dental staff on island as well as additional equipment needs.

The Reviewers have spent some time at the hospital, and have consulted with a number of stakeholders, including medical staff, Island employers and patients.

AIG expects to receive the report towards the end of next month.  Thereafter a further consultation will be held before the Island Council considers the recommendations made in the review.

Alan Cobden

Acting Administrator