In response to ongoing concerns raised by the Virgin Gorda community regarding healthcare delivery, the Ministry of Health and Social Development and the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) have implemented significant updates to services at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic.
During a recent meeting with residents, several issues were highlighted, prompting the government to prioritize improvements to the healthcare system on the Sister Islands. In a statement made in the House of Assembly on October 18, Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon. Vincent Wheatley, provided an update on the actions taken to address these concerns.
“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,” Minister Wheatley said.
Among the changes, the BVIHSA has adjusted scheduling at the clinic to ensure that a registered nurse is on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Physicians will be available from 8:30 a.m. until midnight daily, with a 15-minute response time for emergency call-outs after midnight. Routine primary care services continue to operate during regular clinic hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Additionally, the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic now offers a wide range of specialized and diagnostic services, including urgent care, phlebotomy, pharmacy, child health services, maternal health, family planning, wound care, home visits, mental health services, and dental care. The clinic has also enhanced its emergency response capabilities with paramedics and Advanced Emergency Technicians on call 24/7, further supported by the Royal Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Service when necessary.
In a move to streamline emergency medical evacuations, the BVIHSA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR). VISAR has acquired a new rapid-response vessel, and the MOU facilitates mutual training and interoperability to enhance emergency operations.
Looking ahead, Minister Wheatley shared plans to expand services at the clinic. The BVIHSA is actively recruiting and reassigning staff to offer additional services, including ultrasound, radiology, social services, and laboratory capabilities. Repairs to the clinic’s second floor will soon begin, with funding already approved, allowing for the expansion of services and greater capacity to meet the healthcare needs of Virgin Gorda’s growing population.
Minister Wheatley assured the people of Virgin Gorda that the Ministry of Health and BVIHSA remain committed to improving healthcare in the territory, adding, “We expect these initiatives to greatly improve the standard of care for residents on Virgin Gorda.”