In an official statement, The Board and Management of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) announced that they have been notified of a news article, raising community concern, regarding an alleged nursing protest involving Emergency Room nurses.
The agency said that it can confirm, that it has received no such notification or indication of a nursing protest in the form of a Sickout by members of staff, particularly those assigned to the Emergency Room and as such, is informing the public that as of Sunday February 6th, 2022, there has been no evidence of such a protest.
The statement continued, “After the news report was brought to our attention, the management team convened a meeting with the Director of Nursing for further clarification on the matter. The Director of Nursing confirmed that there are two nurses who are presently on approved sick leave, and up to the time of this afternoon’s meeting, had not received any calls consistent with that of a sickout.” –BVIHSA
BVIHSA grappling with effects of COVID-19 pandemic
The agency further stated that like many entities (both local and international), the BVI Health Services Authority is grappling with various effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Saying, “We know that the past 18 months have been challenging for our staff, who have worked continuously to provide medical service to the people of this Territory.”-BVIHSA
The statement closed by saying, “As an organization, we are appreciative of all our staff; as well as what they have been doing for the organization. We dub them our BVIHSA Heroes and have made efforts to demonstrate our appreciation and gratitude. It should also be noted that other staff appreciation measures are in the pipeline.”-BVIHSA