Update on the Poinciana Residential Mental Health Facility

The Ministry of Health & Wellness wishes to advise the public of the following updates pertaining to the Poinciana: Residential Mental Health Facility (formerly the Long Term Residential Mental Health Facility) in East End:

Facility Update

Poinciana’s Project Management Team (Public Works Department) has advised that the main facilities, including administration, workshop and cafeteria building are now in the final building inspection phase with some items not yet being cleared; the cottage works and perimeter security system are nearing completion; and the expected handover to the Ministry of Health and Wellness is end of September 2023 and not June 2023 as previously anticipated.  The Ministry will continue to keep the public apprised as to the status of the ongoing inspections and handover of the facility.

Appointment of Director

The Ministry of Health & Wellness is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Marcia Amoy Mullings-Thompson as the incoming director of the Poinciana: Residential Mental Health Facility in East End.

“I know that there continues to be great anticipation and interest about the status of the facility and the human resources complement of the facility,” explains Ministry of Health & Wellness’ Chief Officer, Nellie Pouchie.  “As such, the Ministry is pleased to make this announcement today. The recruitment process for this post was rigorous, and we are confident that, based on Mrs. Mullings-Thompson’s diverse and rich experience and qualifications, she is suitably poised to assume the Director role and lead the management and administration of the Poinciana Residential Mental Health Facility.  We look forward to working with her as we seek to bring the facility onboard and to fill the mental health needs in our community.”

Mrs. Mullings-Thompson has been a registered nurse for twenty-eight (28) years, sixteen (16) of which were spent in management positions.  She holds her Bachelor’s Degree equivalent (formerly certificate) in General Nursing Care from the Kingston School of Nursing in Jamaica and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health/Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner from the University of the West Indies.

Since 2005, Mrs. Mullings-Thompson has held the post of Regional Mental Health Officer for the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) in Jamaica, which constitutes of three parishes, coordinating, supervising and managing the nursing and other aspects of the community mental health services.  She transitioned into Jamaica’s Ministry of Health to act as the National Mental Health Coordinator for a short period of time where she was responsible for assisting with monitoring and auditing, policy development, and legislative reviews.  Her experience also allowed her to be seconded for two years to the Bellevue Hospital (BVH), the largest psychiatric facility in the Caribbean, to work as the Chief Executive Officer with the overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of the hospital with over 500 patients and 600 staff members.

Along with her advanced degree, Mrs. Mullings-Thompson has continuously engaged in continuing education activities in the field of mental health.  She is a Trainer of Trainers in several areas, including disaster related psychological trauma, mental health support and crisis intervention, psychosocial support and psychological first aid, human rights and ethical issues in mental health, PAHO/WHO mhGap intervention, PAHO/WHO Problem Management Plus intervention.

“I understand that there is a lot of hope and many expectations around this facility, and I take the responsibility of being accountable not only to the Ministry of Health and Wellness but also to the residents we serve, their families and the community as a whole very seriously,” Mrs. Mullings-Thompson states. “This facility is not intended to stand alone, but rather to help enhance the full suite of mental health services that already exist on island.  I am looking forward to developing strong and meaningful relationships with not only these providers, but also the advocates and civil society organisations that have their finger on the pulse of the community,” she concludes.

Mrs. Mullings-Thompson will take up her post as the Director of Poinciana: Residential Mental Health Facility on Monday, 10 July 2023.

Senior Management Recruitment

In addition to the appointment of the facility’s director, the recruitment process for the remainder of the facility’s senior management team is also currently underway.

The listings and job descriptions for the posts for the Clinical Manager, Facility Manager, Finance and Business Manager, Human Resources Manager, and Programme Manager all go live on the Cayman Islands Government’s career portal (careers.gov.ky) today, Friday, 30 June.

“With the Director in post and directly involved in assembling the senior management team, the care services, programming, processes and overall management of the facility, the Ministry’s focus on the commissioning and occupancy of the facility continues.  We look forward to the onboarding of new staff, services and occupancy in due course.” Chief Officer Pouchie adds.

“Mental health and wellness continue to be a priority for my ministry, not only as it pertains to this facility but holistically in strengthening and enhancing the national capacity for and access to mental health services, promotion and prevention,” states Hon. Sabrina Turner, Minister for Health & Wellness.  “While the completion of the facility remains under the remit of the Public Works Department, our Ministry team continues to work diligently to mitigate against delays relating to the staffing, forthcoming handover, and upcoming occupancy of the facility.  It has been a long road, but we continue to take positive steps forward and I am confident that the finish line is fast approaching in getting the facility ready to receive its first residents,” Minister Turner adds.