Western Regional Health Authority

The Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) is a statutory body of the Ministry of Health, established as part of the Health Sector reform through the National Health Services Act of 1997. Located in Jamaica’s western region, the WRHA serves four key parishes: Trelawny, St. James, Hanover, and Westmoreland.

The authority delivers healthcare through a comprehensive network of four hospitals and 84 health centers strategically positioned throughout the region. Its key hospitals include Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, Falmouth Hospital in Trelawny, Noel Holmes Hospital in Hanover, and Savanna-la-Mar Hospital in Westmoreland. This extensive infrastructure ensures broad healthcare coverage for the western parishes.

Governed by a Board of Directors, the WRHA has distinguished itself as a leader in healthcare provision on the island. Its mission focuses on promoting the physical, mental, and social well-being of the region’s population, with a commitment to enhancing the quality of life through comprehensive and accessible healthcare services. To achieve its mission, the staff and the Board of the SERHA must ensure there is robust corporate governance. Let’s see how they are doing!!

Indicators	Findings
Has a Board with requisite skills as per the Competency Profile
Current Chairperson is not sitting more than two (2) consecutive terms
Current Chairperson chairs no more than two (2) other public bodies
Has a Board with a minimum of 30% male members
Has a Board with a minimum of 30% female members
Current Board retains at least 3 members or one-third of the previous Board
Has a Board Charter
Has a Non-Executive Chair
Has a trained Corporate Secretary
Hosts Board training
Conducts Annual Board Evaluations
Ensures Board processes are executed
Ensures Board minutes are transmitted to the Permanent Secretary
Has an Information and Disclosure Policy
Has an internal auditor
Has an Audit Committee with clear terms of reference
Has an Audit Committee with three (3) or more members including a qualified accountant/persons possessing expertise in finance
Has an Audit Committee that does not include the Board Chair
Has an Audit Committee that excludes the Procurement Committee Chair
Has a Procurement Committee that rotates members every three (3) years
Has an independent Chair of the Procurement Committee (not chaired by the Finance Director)
Has Board procedures regarding procurement oversight
Has a trained Procurement Committee
Has an Annual Procurement Plan
Submits Annual Report to the Responsible Minister by July 31^st of the present year
Has an Annual Board-Approved Corporate Plan (must include strategic objectives, budget and work plan) by October 31^st of the present year
Ensures Annual Report is tabled in Parliament no later than July 31^st
Ensures Responsible Minister issues Statement of Corporate Expectation to the Board
Ensures the Chair and Responsible Minister meet at least twice yearly to discuss Agency performance and emerging issues
Has a Corporate Social Responsibility Framework including a Donations Policy
Has a Code of Ethics with conflict-of-interest provisions
Ensures staff is trained in the Code of Ethics
Has a Whistle Blowing Policy
Has an Enterprise Risk Management Policy

Indicators

Findings

Has a Board with requisite skills as per the Competency Profile

Current Chairperson is not sitting more than two (2) consecutive terms

Current Chairperson chairs no more than two (2) other public bodies

Has a Board with a minimum of 30% male members

Has a Board with a minimum of 30% female members

Current Board retains at least 3 members or one-third of the previous Board

Has a Board Charter

Has a Non-Executive Chair

Has a trained Corporate Secretary

Hosts Board training

Conducts Annual Board Evaluations

Ensures Board processes are executed

Ensures Board minutes are transmitted to the Permanent Secretary

Has an Information and Disclosure Policy

Has an internal auditor

Has an Audit Committee with clear terms of reference

Has an Audit Committee with three (3) or more members including a qualified accountant/persons possessing expertise in finance

Has an Audit Committee that does not include the Board Chair

Has an Audit Committee that excludes the Procurement Committee Chair

Has a Procurement Committee that rotates members every three (3) years

Has an independent Chair of the Procurement Committee (not chaired by the Finance Director)

Has Board procedures regarding procurement oversight

Has a trained Procurement Committee

Has an Annual Procurement Plan

Submits Annual Report to the Responsible Minister by July 31^st of the present year

Has an Annual Board-Approved Corporate Plan (must include strategic objectives, budget and work plan) by October 31^st of the present year

Ensures Annual Report is tabled in Parliament no later than July 31^st

Ensures Responsible Minister issues Statement of Corporate Expectation to the Board

Ensures the Chair and Responsible Minister meet at least twice yearly to discuss Agency performance and emerging issues

Has a Corporate Social Responsibility Framework including a Donations Policy

Has a Code of Ethics with conflict-of-interest provisions

Ensures staff is trained in the Code of Ethics

Has a Whistle Blowing Policy

Has an Enterprise Risk Management Policy

Indicators	Findings
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Indicators

Findings

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Western Regional Health Authority

Mr St Andrade Sinclair

Dr. The Hon. Christopher Tufton, MP

Mr Errol Greene, OD, JP

Overview

Key Compliance Results