With as many as thirty wheelchairs disappearing from George Town hospital in the last five years, the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) has found it difficult to retain wheelchairs. With this lack of equipment it is harder for patients to get the service they need at the hospital when they check in.

Caledonian Global Financial Services Inc., a local financial services firm, stepped up to the plate and donated ten new wheelchairs to help address the situation. “We pride ourselves on being not only part of the business community but part of the peoples’ community. We make all efforts to help support local organizations when in need; it’s our corporate and social responsibility to do so.” Said CEO Kobi Dorenbush

“We decided the best way to assist the HSA was to donate wheelchairs with some theft protection attached, so each chair has a built-in high bar making it more difficult for it to be placed in the back of a car. In addition, each has an oxygen tank holder and an IV drip stand to make each chair as useful as possible for every medical scenario.” Said Jacqui Terry, Director of Caledonian Group Services.

Health Services Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms Lizzette Yearwood, said staff at the HSA were extremely grateful to Caledonian for this thoughtful donation. “Wheelchairs play such an important role within the HSA that it is a real setback when we lose even one as they are needed in maternity, critical care, A & E, dialysis and many other units. We are deeply grateful to Caledonian for boosting our wheelchair numbers and taking the time and care to ensure the new chairs will hopefully be harder to take off the premises in the future,” Ms Yearwood said. “Although the hospital does have to replenish these over time when they are taken and not returned, this generous donation will make a big difference in aiding the efficiency of the hospital and allowing us to best serve our patients.”

Photo Caption 1 (L to R): Charmin Fennell, Nurse Manager Specialist Services; Tina McClean, Patient Services Manager; Jacqui Terry, Director of Caledonian Group Services; Lizzette Yearwood, HSA CEO; Dr Delroy Jefferson, Medical Director