Virgin Gorda Emergency Services Temporarily Relocated
Emergency medical services on Virgin Gorda have been temporarily relocated to St. Mary’s Anglican Church Hall due to air-quality issues at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre. Ninth District Representative Hon. Vincent Wheatley acknowledged the community's frustration, noting that the move is a necessary precaution to protect patients and staff.
Emergency medical services on Virgin Gorda have been temporarily moved to St. Mary’s Anglican Church Hall in Spanish Town as cleaning, maintenance, and air-quality inspections are carried out at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre. Ninth District Representative and Minister Hon. Vincent Wheatley addressed the situation, acknowledging the disruption to the island's primary healthcare access.
Speaking on behalf of the government and his constituency, Wheatley apologised for the inconvenience and stated that he shares the public's frustration regarding recurring facility setbacks. Wheatley explained that the temporary relocation was enacted as a precautionary measure to safeguard the health and well-being of patients, healthcare professionals, and support personnel.
He emphasised that regular clinical operations will resume only after all mandatory inspections are completed and the building satisfies every health and safety standard. The Ministry of Health and Social Development is awaiting an official assessment report from the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA).
Officials noted that comprehensive details and timelines will be shared with the public once the review process is fully concluded. This incident follows prior infrastructure challenges at the Nurse Iris O’Neal facility. Earlier this year, medical teams had to deliver care from a temporary field hospital before returning to the clinic in February after the installation of air-conditioning units, specialised deep cleaning, and air-quality assessments.
Furthermore, a 562,100-dollar contract was awarded in August to execute critical roof repairs intended to secure the long-term viability of the building. In the interim, round-the-clock emergency medical services remain operational from St. Residents are advised to defer non-emergency visits to the Medical Centre where possible until normal operations are restored.
Wheatley commended the dedicated healthcare staff, support teams, and the leadership and congregation of St. Mary’s Anglican Church for providing temporary accommodations, while thanking the Virgin Gorda community for their patience during the transition.
Primary source: VINO