Dr Darrien S. Ray is a registered Bermudian clinical psychologist who has been practising on island since 2013. He provides therapeutic services for children, adults, and families. He also has extensive experience conducting psychological evaluations for a variety of diagnostic reasons, including academic, developmental, and emotional.
History of the Health Council
In 1993, the Government of Bermuda, in response to community-wide concerns over the escalating cost of healthcare in Bermuda, and a growing public concern over the quality of healthcare services available on the Island at the time, appointed a committee chaired by Senator Oughton, to review the healthcare system.
The committee’s review, generally known as the “The Oughton Report – 1996” concluded that while Bermuda generally had a good healthcare system, the system could benefit immensely from improved coordination of its disparate parts and cost containment measures to mitigate the impact of inflation on the system’s sustainability. The Oughton Report, and a later report – The Bermuda Healthcare System Redesign Initiative – advanced the idea that a Bermuda Health Council was needed to manage the quality, cost efficiency, and sustainability of Bermuda’s healthcare system. In 2004, the Minister of Health, the Honourable Nelson B.A. Bascome, JP, MP, introduced the Bermuda Health Council Act 2004 to the House of Assembly which officially established the Council.
“Achieving a quality, equitable and sustainable health system.”
Our Vision
Our Purpose & Function
Formed in 2006 through the Bermuda Health Council Act 2004, the Health Council enhances and coordinates the delivery of healthcare services. We are a regulatory body, ensuring health system sustainability by:
- Licensing health insurers
- Increasing cost effectiveness
- Collaborating with stakeholders
- Addressing complaints and queries
- Monitoring health finance and expenditure
- Facilitating new health system infrastructure
- Ensuring that employers provide health insurance for their employees
To read more about our legislated functions, click to view the Health Council’s Log of Legislated Responsibilities.
Our Mandate
To regulate, coordinate and enhance the delivery of health services.
Our Priorities:
Care quality and standards: Collaborating with all whom have a vested interested in our health system to encourage best practice when delivering care.
Finance and economics: Monitoring resources available for improving the health system and the health of the population.
Accountability: Being transparent with the public about what we do and how we do it.
Regulation: Ensuring all organizations and services that influence our health are operating according to the law.
Our Legislation
- Bermuda Health Council Act
- Public Health Act 1949
- Health Insurance Act 1970
- Government Fees Regulations 1976
- Public Health (Hospitals) Regulations 2002
- Public Health (Clinical Laboratories) Regulations 2002
- Health Insurance (Approved Scheme) Regulations 1971
- Health Insurance (Licensing of Insurers) Regulations 1971
- Public Health (Diagnostic Facilities) (Mammography) 2000
- Health Insurance (Standard Health Benefit) Regulations 1971
- Health Insurance (Standard Hospital Benefit) Regulations 1971
- Health Insurance (Health Service Providers and Insurers) (Claims) Regulations 2012
Corporate Plans
Our annual Corporate Plans are our strategic road-map, helping us to envision Bermuda as the healthiest island in the world.
Behind the Scenes
The Health Council believes in transparency, therefore, we have created a list of Health Council projects and achievements to keep you up-to-date on what’s happening behind the scenes, such as writing research reports, conducting data analyses, developing new legislation etc.
The list below is updated regularly to display the 2022-2023 fiscal year period. For an extensive look at past project and achievements, visit our listing here. Check back often to track our progress as we work through our Corporate Plan.
Published Press Release on Health Council Seeks Feedback from Health Professionals on Proposed Regulations
22-Aug-24
Published 2024 Licensed Health Insurers and Approved Health Insurance Schemes
22-Jan-24
Published Press Release on Health Council and Ignite Bermuda Collaboration
9-Jan-24
Published a data brief on health insurance premiums collected, claims paid, and number of insured persons.
10-Oct-23
Held Engagement Activity for Brand Refresh Launch at City Hall with Department of Health
26-Sept-23
Proposals received for round 3 of Innovation Programme did not align with programme's objectives. Round 4 starts October 2023.
7-Sept-23
Added an updated document of the COVID-19 Guidance Care Homes to our website
13-Jun-23
Added Complaint Overview Process document on the Health Professional Complaint webpage
3-May-23
Published Press Release on Inspectorate to Support Growing Regulatory Functions of the Health Council
1-May-23
Published Press Release on Health Registration Update for the Council of Allied Health Professions and Pharmacy Council
21-Feb-23
Published Press Release on Collaboration with Pharmacies and Wholesalers for Better Universal Health Coverage of Medicines
23-Jan-23
Donated Goods to the Transformational Living Centre to support families in need for the holiday season
19-Dec-22
Hosted Care Home Information Session at BUEI for Caregivers, Care Home Administrators and Owners
1-Dec-22
Hosted Webinar with Dr. Jahnae Harvey on Autism, Early Intervention, and Support in Adulthood
26-Oct-22
Hosted Webinar with Dr Darrien Ray on Encouraging and Protecting Mental Health Development in Children
5-Oct-22
Published Press Release on Transition to New Online Payment System for Health Professionals
30-Sept-22
Hosted Webinar with Dr. Jamie Kimball on What is Acupuncture, How it Works and It's Treatments
21-Sept-22
Hosted Webinar with Dr. Jonathan Makanjuola on Health Disparities in Cancer Care
7-Sept-22
Hosted Webinar with Joanne Wohlmuth on Improving Respiratory Health
25-Aug-22
Hosted Webinar with Dr. Natalie Bennett on Diabetes and Your Feet
17-Aug-22
Updated Non-Complaint Employers List on website
9-Aug-12
Started drafting three additional Health Technology Assessments (HTAs) with topics related to telehealth, dialysis services and more.
4-Aug-22
Completed Round 2 of the of the Innovation Programme
2-Aug-22
Approved 49 Health Facility Applications
1-Aug-22
Hosted Webinar with Agathe Holowatinc on Nutrition for High Performance Professionals
20-Jul-22
Closed Dental Imaging Registration
15-Jul-22
Updated Non-Complaint Employers List on website
6-Jul-22
Drafted one Health Technology Assessment (HTA) with additional topics to be covered, but are not limited to dialysis services, telehealth, and more
6-Ju-22
If you would like additional information about any of the updates, feel free to contact our offices via email at healthcouncil@localhost or via phone on 292-6420.
Board Members
The Health Council is comprised of a Board appointed annually by the Minister of Health. Operating since 2006 focusing on monitoring all aspects of Bermuda’s health system and enforcing compliance with legislative requirements.
Mr. H. Anthony Richardson – Deputy Chair
Managing Director of Cedar Aviation Services Ltd.
Secretariat
The Health Council Secretariat includes those individuals responsible for carrying out the mandated functions of the organisation. We have a team of 20 and despite our size, our remit is quite large. The Secretariat prides itself on being an efficient and reliable team that has the public’s best interest in mind for all that we do. As we constantly seek ways to improve our operations and the execution of our functions, in 2016 we underwent organisational restructuring which resulted in the development of our three directorates: Health Economics, Health Regulations and Operations.
Lena Hassell
Outreach Coordinator and Administrative Assistant
Coordinates collaborations between the Health Council and local community organisations...
Khamini Shrinarine
Project Associate
Provides support to health professional registration.
Ja-Mae Smith
Programme Manager
Monitors, licenses and assess Long-Term Care facilities and Adult Day...
Employment Opportunities
Join us in our mission to regulate, coordinate and enhance the delivery of health services in Bermuda. Find out more about the Bermuda Health Council and what we do.
There are no available positions available at this time.
Strategic Plans
Strategic Plans are multi-year plans detailing the direction of the Health Council. These Plans are used as a basis for identifying the annual corporate plan objectives and deliverables.
Policies
Policies provide standards for the execution of daily operations of the Health Council.
Procedures
Procedures provide a standard for the execution of legislated Health Council functions and operations.
- Claims Regulations Manual
- PATI Information Statement
- 2018 Annual Re-Licensing of Health Insurance Companies, Plans and Approved Schemes