Government Raises Hospital Infrastructure Concerns in Response to InterHealth Canada

News Release

As part of our commitment to high-quality clinical care on the Islands, over the past two and a half years, the Government has commissioned a number of independent professional assessments of various aspects of both hospital facilities. These assessments have identified significant concerns regarding the condition, maintenance and long-term integrity of elements of the hospital infrastructure.

The Government has sought professional advice on the measures necessary to address those concerns and to safeguard the continued operation and long-term sustainability of the facilities. The relevant reports and recommended measures have been shared with InterHealth Canada and the Health Regulation Authority.

Under the contractual arrangements, InterHealth Canada has obligations relating to the maintenance and condition of the hospital facilities. The Government’s position is that those obligations have not been satisfied to the standard required under the contract.

InterHealth Canada and the project’s financial stakeholders, including InfraRed Capital Partners, have been informed of the Government’s concerns as the relevant assessments have become available.

The Government has withheld certain infrastructure payments in connection with these matters. The respective contractual rights and obligations of the parties, including the basis for those withheld payments, are matters that are now subject to legal proceedings.

InterHealth Canada’s statement of 21 September does not, in the Government’s view, address the substantive concerns that have been raised regarding the condition and maintenance of the hospital infrastructure or the independent professional assessments that have been provided to it.

The Government’s overriding responsibility is to protect the public interest and to ensure that the hospitals remain safe, sustainable and capable of serving the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands for many years to come. Government will continue to take the steps it considers necessary to protect the integrity and long-term value of these important public healthcare assets.

The Government also wishes to reassure the public that clinical services at both hospitals are continuing as normal.

The wider commercial and contractual matters between the Government and InterHealth Canada are the subject of legal proceedings. In order to respect that process and protect the Government’s legal position, the Government will not litigate those matters through the media and will make no further comment on the substance of the proceedings at this time.