Hon. Fraser concerned about Health Services in VI
“I’m concerned about it, just as I’ve always been and of all the things in the Territory, healthcare is the one that continues to attract my interest and my highest state of concern.”
He acknowledged that persons within the sector “work hard and they try” but felt that more could be done. ”What I think is not in their favour, is the resources that they need in order to make the health services successful,” Hon. Fraser said.
Hon. Fraser said facilities are not where they need to be and he was not confident that things would change significantly in the foreseeable future. Though he looked forward to the introduction of the new state of the art Peebles Hospital, Hon. Fraser stated, “I’m not sure that the staffing is going to be in place to make sure that the delivery is what it should be.”
Emergency services
According to Hon. Fraser, “Currently, people going to the hospital for emergency purposes have to wait long hours in order to get treatment, and I don’t think that is in our best interest at this time, so we have challenges.”
The Third District Representative said he was not only concerned about the long wait that persons endured at the hospital, but also about persons going to the hospital and being referred to elsewhere for treatment outside of the BVI Health Services Authority, among other things.
He also expressed concern about patients at the Peebles Hospital that sometimes have to leave the institution for certain services as well.
Doctors without contracts not preferred MO
Hon. Fraser expressed that the issue of professionals including doctors, that work without renewed contracts was something that happened throughout the service and not just the hospital and added that this was an unfortunate occurrence.
He stated that a professional working for a period of 90-days without a renewed contract was a practice that would sometimes happen and noted that these were done on a month-to-month basis.
“When it comes to an essential service such as a doctor,” he noted “if he is one who is working month-to-month, it means that he can pick up and leave at any time… if he picks up and leaves, it’s a strain on the facility and it’s a strain on the patients themselves.”
“It’s not the preferred method of operation,” Hon. Fraser expressed.
National Health Insurance needs work
Hon. Fraser said he continued to have crucial concerns about the Territory’s pending implementation of a National Health Insurance programme.
“I don’t see how the government in good conscience could implement that service any time like August,” he stated, “it’s just not possible for it to happen… unless they want to inflict maximum pain on the citizens of the Territory.”
He asserted that facilities are currently not at the stage they needed to be in order for there to be talk about National Health Insurance. “They are talking also about treatment at home first, national treatment first and in order to do that you must have the facilities that are necessary, but I want to sit down with the powers that be…” he said.
In adding clarity to his statement, he noted that this ‘sit-down’ would not be with the current panel that is discussing the project with citizens of the Territory as these were not the persons who were going to make the changes that are necessary in order to make the citizens of the Territory happy. “It’s the political directorate who has to make those significant changes,” he said.
Hon. Fraser added, “I don’t want anyone to get me wrong, the concept is a necessary one, but it needs work.”
“It’s been around long enough to be implemented and I don’t want to regard it as being in a rush,” he expressed, “what I’m saying is that it hasn’t been fully developed.”
18 Responses to “Hon. Fraser concerned about Health Services in VI”
He first has to become leader of the VIP. If he does, then it means Ralph is not running. District 9 ...NDP
Neither Andrew nor Alvin will accept this and would likely cross over if they win their districts. Districts 1 and 2...NDP+NDP
Who can remove Mark? District 4...NDP
At his age and with his attitude, will Cookie Monster come back to beat the broke lady with the bag? Naaaw. District 6...NDP
No explanation needed...District 7...NDP
Who will replace Marlon? District 8...NDP
Doctor Smith always wins at large...NDP
Other 3 at large seats...I honestly cannot see VIP winning any of them...but anything is possible.
So if Fraser becomes VIP leader and wins D3 and Juggy wins D5, I count at least 8 NDP seats...maybe 11.
You must not be looking at the news on this same news site. Better hope he aint the TT Minister, or his ass is grass. There is your answer. TT can remove him.