The Central Planning Authority of the Cayman Islands last week granted planning permission for the construction of Phase One of the hospital building on the Health City Cayman Islands site in East End. Project Director Gene Thompson said full construction will begin shortly.

The first phase of the hospital will consist of 140 beds, operating theaters, and other medical support facilities occupying more than 107,000 square feet of space.

Initially the hospital will offer cardiac and orthopedic services to local, regional, and international patients with additional tertiary-care specialties being added as the medical complex expands. First patients are expected in early 2014.