The Ministry of Health this weekend presented its one-year action plan to healthcare professionals at a long-term care symposium.

The event, held on Saturday at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, featured a panel including representatives from the Bermuda Health Council, the Bermuda Hospitals Board, Age Concern and Lefroy House among others.

Opening the symposium Jeanne Atherden, the Minister of Health and Seniors, said the ministry’s goal was to deliver affordable, sustainable, quality healthcare for all residents of the island.

“The future healthcare needs of our community are being determined by the changes we see in disease patterns and the demographic shift to an ageing population,” she said.

“This is a critical time for Bermuda. We need to plan now for a healthier future and one that looks after the most vulnerable members of our society. To me, this is the measure of a caring and sophisticated society.”

Ms Atherden stressed the importance of meeting the needs of seniors and those with physical, cognitive or mental disabilities, along with addressing lifestyle-related conditions to reduce strain on both families and the healthcare system.

“Measures in the recent Throne Speech, such as incentives for the private sector in terms of creating solutions for long-term care facilities, and strategies to allow seniors to age in place, complement the vision of the Health Strategy and the Long Term Care Action Plan, as we believe this is has to be whole-community endeavour in which families and the private sector have crucial roles.

“But I want to be very clear that this is a plan for what we suggest we can achieve in one year. This 12-month plan will also form the foundation of a more comprehensive plan that has a longer timeframe. While we move ahead and implement our 12-month plan, we will be formulating a multiyear, long-term care plan.”

She urged participants to be direct with their input, calling for open dialogue and thoughtful observation, adding: “There can be no more important work than making sure we care for those who need our support.”