UK Association for Project Management Awards Cayman Islands for COVID Field Hospital

The Cayman Islands have been awarded with ‘Social Project of the Year Award 2020’ by the UK Association for Project Management. This was awarded for the COVID field hospital that was created to created within 3 weeks to become fully functional.

The APM gave the following recognition:

“How a tiny island in the Caribbean prepared for the Coronavirus pandemic creating a fully functional 80 bed hospital facility within 3 weeks in the face of worldwide supply chain issues, lock-downs and embargo. It should have been impossible. Yet this project was delivered on time, within budget and to the rigorous quality standards required to deliver patient care in a safe way while meeting all Government procurement requirements. A hospital we never hope to use but a project giving reassurance to the community and delivered with the help of the community.”

The hospital was coordinated by the National Emergency Operations Centre in collaboration with the government, charities and the private sector to provide support to the Health Services Authority. The hospital was nominated for the award by Graeme Jackson who had been seconded to the NEOC from the Portfolio of the Civil Service whee he is director of Human Capital Development

“The recognition by APM is yet another example of the Cayman Islands delivering world-class services, in addition to its enviable positioning as one of the safest countries in the world when it comes to our COVID-19 response,” Graeme Jackson said.

Deputy Governor Franz Manderson said he was delighted the civil service had been recognised for such an important project, “which, thankfully, we have not had to utilise”. He added, “Social project of the year is a tough category and I commend the other strong nominees.”