Healthcare systems and organizations worldwide leverage KPMG firms’ knowledge and leading insights to respond to challenges to help transform the way these organizations operate, engage their staff and deliver care. KPMG’s experience in supporting healthcare in island countries and jurisdictions was recently recognized by Dr. Anna van Poucke, Global Head of Healthcare for KPMG International, when she visited Bermuda to launch a new global center of excellence for island healthcare during the island’s Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting.

The global center of excellence provides a new central hub for KPMG firms to share experience and learning in island-based healthcare internationally that brings together dedicated island-based professionals from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Crown Dependencies and Mediterranean islands.

“Delivering accessible, affordable, high-quality care can be particularly challenging for island communities throughout the world, given their geographical locations and smaller scale. This situation magnifies wider health challenges, including rising population health needs, the growing complexity and cost of care, and health workforce pressures,” says Dr. Edward Fitzgerald, Head of Healthcare and Life Sciences for KPMG Islands Group.

Dr. Fitzgerald will lead the global center of excellence and a team that will work to identify and adapt leading practices for islands, undertake new research to share the challenges, and develop island-based approaches. The team will also facilitate networking between island healthcare stakeholders and provide seamless access to KPMG’s global healthcare network. This network is composed of more than 5,000 audit, tax, and advisory professionals with healthcare industry expertise in more than 70-plus KPMG firms around the world. It also includes almost 200 clinicians who have a wealth of frontline health and care experience from their work as physicians, nurses, paramedics, social workers and other allied professions.

“With healthcare systems facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities worldwide, KPMG International recognises the critical need for specialised knowledge and innovative approaches. The establishment of our global center of excellence for island healthcare in Bermuda underscores KPMG's dedication to delivering value in healthcare globally,” says Dr. van Poucke.

The global center of excellence for island healthcare will provide specialist support to governments, regulators, payors, providers, NGOs and international development organizations across a broad range of topics for island-based healthcare, including:

—   Healthcare system strengthening and Universal Health Coverage

—   Operational improvement, efficiency and productivity

—   Integrated care models and pathway design

—   Human resources for healthcare organizations

—   Digital health and data

—   Strategy, acquisitions and financing

—   Climate health and ESG

—   Leadership, learning and development

The services provided are in addition to the traditional professional services work in tax, audit and assurance, mergers and acquisitions, risk management, and contracting that many KPMG firms provide.

Existing island healthcare advisory work in KPMG Islands Group, which includes Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Caricom, the Crown Dependencies and Malta, provides a deep understanding of island health systems. The global center will harness additional international experience from KPMG professionals’ work on islands around the world, including Australasia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ocean.

James Berry, CEO of KPMG in Bermuda, said “This significant investment in our team reaffirms KPMG's commitment to delivering our knowledge and expertise across the healthcare sector, both globally and locally. Establishing this new international hub in our Bermuda office not only showcases the outstanding work we're already accomplishing here, but also helps ensure that our global insights are effectively coordinated, shared and put into action for the benefit of our island community”.