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Dr. Potter: Gov’t should revisit using Inter-Health Canada to commission new hospital

- Hon. Fraser said Potter should have advised Gov’t without being asked
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Irad Potter says Government should revisit its decision to use Inter-Health Canada to commission the new hospital. Photo: GIS
The contract for Inter-Health Canada was signed by Former Premier Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE and Dr. Eric Parsons, Inter-Health Canada signing the contract. Looking on is Dr. Ronald Georges.
The contract for Inter-Health Canada was signed by Former Premier Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE and Dr. Eric Parsons, Inter-Health Canada signing the contract. Looking on is Dr. Ronald Georges.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Irad Potter said based on the performance of the firm hired to commission the new Peebles Hospital in Turks and Caicos, he would advise the Government of the Virgin Islands to revisit its decision to use the company.

It was in February 2010 that the last administration signed a contract with Inter-Health Canada in the sum of $2,108,698 to provide consultancy services for the commissioning of the New Peebles Hospital.

Dr. Potter stated his views of Inter Health’s contract during the 2012 Standing Finance Committee (SFC) deliberations, when questioned by Third District Representative Hon. Julian Fraser RA, regarding his thoughts of the Government using the company.

Following Dr. Potter’s response, Hon. Fraser asked him whether he was asked such a question before to which he responded in the negative. The district representative stated that Dr. Potter should have been willing to give such an advice without being asked.

Regarding the current stage of the contract with Inter-Health Canada, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Petrona Davies told the SFC that the company had already completed Phases A and B. She stated that Phase C, the final phase, would have been the process of implementing the changes to the facility into operation.

Eight district representative Hon. Marlon Penn asked whether the plan of Inter-Health could be fast tracked so that the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) could run the hospital on its own. To that Mrs. Davies responded that the plans belong to Government and could be used. She further stated that the Ministry of Health was not involved in the operations but they provided input when needed.

Questioned as to when a report was received from Inter-Health Canada, the PS could not recall but said at that time the project was suspended.

Mrs. Davies also disclosed that the agreement with Inter-Health Canada takes it up to the period when the first patient enters the hospital.

It was further disclosed by Mrs. Davies that Inter-Health Canada had said it was willing to enter into an agreement to complete the building and that Government would repay the organisation over a period of time. However, she said Government did not accept the proposal.

Territorial Member Hon. Archibald Christian enquired what challenges Inter-Health experienced with Turks and Caicos Government to which Mrs. Davies explained that the economic challenges changed the situation drastically and the TCI government found it difficult to meet their financial commitment with Inter-Health Canada. She further stated that she felt Inter Health should have been more flexible in terms of accommodating the Government’s financial obligations.

She had also said that Inter-Health, apart from the TCI experience, had strengths in building and operating hospitals and had done work in many nations and have successfully operated internationally.

Asked whether the Virgin Islands Government could learn anything from the TCI experience, Mrs. Davies said Government should be careful and learn from the situation but the department was in a better position to understand how to design a system to make it viable in spite of economic shortfalls.

Meanwhile, Dr. Potter stated that it should be noted that the Virgin Islands has a robust health care system which was not the case in the TCI. He said the VI Government could improve its services if it decided to build fewer and bigger health care systems and allow the hospital to deal with health care.

Gov’t to decide on final phase

Mrs. Davies told the SFC that Inter-Health Canada was contracted to provide commissioning services that entails developing strategy and plans for staffing, recruiting, providing equipment, information management and looking at policies and procedures for the new hospital. She said the company also conducted a clinical review of the design of the hospital to make certain changes allow the hospital to meet international standards. She explained that what the Government commissioned the company to do was different from running the hospital. She said the first two phases were linked to the completion of the hospital and Government would need to decide whether it would continue up to phase three.

The company was also expected to support the BVIHSA with recruiting, but according to Ms. Davies, that has not initiated as yet and would fall under Phase III of the agreement.

According to Inter-Health Canada’s website, it is a global healthcare management firm that specializes in the development and management of healthcare facilities and projects.

Established in 1994 for the purpose of exporting Canada’s intellectual and management expertise in healthcare to the international market, Inter-Health Canada says it brings to its clients the internationally recognised quality and efficiency of the Canadian healthcare system.

10 Responses to “Dr. Potter: Gov’t should revisit using Inter-Health Canada to commission new hospital”

  • brown stain (13/04/2012, 14:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yet another vip mess to clean up, good lord.
  • ooooo (13/04/2012, 15:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    another ndp imposter
  • attention (13/04/2012, 16:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    how come he never ever said that when the VIP was in???? he kissing up now because he other half looking big post...another turn coat...
  • crap (13/04/2012, 17:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Potter is just too much more of the same crap!
  • Strupes (14/04/2012, 09:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ain't time for he to retire, ah hope he ain't there til 65.
    • jj (14/04/2012, 15:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      how come when the man who is 66 and was recruited by Marva and the TCP ayo aint say a word?? set of two faced cowbirds
  • Outsider (14/04/2012, 21:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You should see how Interhealth Canada brough the medical ystem in Turks and Caicos Islands to its knees. The people are cryig out , they cant wait to see the back of them. BVI its your turn now
  • keep pushing (15/04/2012, 01:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Get both Interhealth and Potter out...is a waste of time. He travels all the time and he is just as much to blame for the failure in Health than anyone else.


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