Statement
Statement By The Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley
Minister For Health And Social Development
At The Twentieth Sitting Of The First Session Of The Fifth
House Of Assembly Of The Virgin Islands
Friday 18th October 2024
Update On The Nurse Iris O’neal Clinic
Madam Speaker, healthcare in the Territory has been in the spotlight!
As the Minister for Health and Social Development and the Representative for the Ninth District, health care in the Territory and in particular the Sister Islands is of an utmost concern and priority to me. Health care delivery in the public sector is devolved to the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) and the role of the Ministry and Minister is enshrined in the BVI Health Services Authority Act.
Recent events have brought to attention, the unique challenges of health care delivery on our Sister Islands and in particular, Virgin Gorda. At a recent community meeting, the Virgin Gorda Community was able to clearly articulate many of their ongoing concerns with the delivery of health care on our island. We have heard their concerns, and I want to reassure them that their concerns are being given priority.
The BVIHSA has made the necessary adjustments to scheduling and workflow to ensure that a registered nurse is on-site at the clinic 24 hours a day, seven days a week, around the clock. This will ensure that a health care provider is always available and ready to start any emergency treatment that may be required. Physicians are available on site from 8:30 in the morning until 12 midnight, every night. The BVIHSA has confirmed that residents can expect a 15-minute turn-around time for emergency call-outs after midnight and primary healthcare services continue to operate during regular clinic hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
The BVI Health Services Authority has also confirmed the delivery of specialised and diagnostic services from the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic, which include the following:
- Urgent care - 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Emergencies - 24 Hour response capable
- Phlebotomy (Blood draws) - Tuesdays 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM
- Pharmacy - Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Child Health (Nurses) - Wednesdays 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Maternal Health - Thursdays 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Family Planning - Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Wound Care - Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Home Visiting and Domiciliary Care - Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Nutrition Counselling - Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Paediatric Clinic - 2nd and 4th Mondays 10 AM to 12 PM
- Mental Health Services - Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and every 3rd Wednesday, psychiatrist and mental health nurses visit to provide additional mental health and psychiatric services.
- Dental Clinic - Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
The Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic also has one paramedic and an Advanced Emergency Technician who works and take calls to ensure 24-hour coverage is in place, which is also augmented by the Royal Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Service, as required. Two additional Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians are currently undergoing training and will join the emergency staff roster at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic upon graduation.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is working to ensure adequate integration of the 911 system into the rapid response for emergencies on the Sister Islands. Once actualised this will greatly reduce and streamline the emergency response times.
Additionally, the BVIHSA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) to streamline emergency evacuations. VISAR has also acquired a new seaworthy rapid response vessel which will enhance this capacity. The MOU will facilitate interoperability and mutual training to further enhance response and operations.
Madam Speaker, the BVIHSA is working on bringing the following additional services online to the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic, including Ultrasound, Radiology, Social Services and laboratory through active and ongoing recruitment and reassignment of staff. The repairs to the standby generator are complete and the air conditioning units are currently awaiting parts that are on order from the original equipment manufacturer, LG Industries.
Funding for the repairs to the roof of the second floor were approved in the most recent Supplementary Appropriations passed in this House, and are currently being prioritised by the Ministry of Finance. We expect these to be initiated in the coming weeks. Once repaired, the second floor of the clinic, will facilitate the expansion of services and will improve the Authority’s capacity to meet the healthcare needs of the growing population on Virgin Gorda.
In closing, Madam Speaker, I want to assure this Honourable House and the people of Virgin Gorda that, I, as Minister for Health and Social Development, along with my team at the Ministry, along with the BVI Health Services Authority, remains committed to improving healthcare services in these Virgin Islands.
We have heard from the community, and we are working closely with the BVIHSA team, to bring resolution to the more urgent matters and issues, while at the same time exploring ways to improve healthcare services on the Sister Islands and ensure the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic becomes the healthcare institution it is destined to be.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
