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Peebles Hospital signage change likely to cost over $100K

- BVIHSA CEO Dr Ronald E. Georges says 'D. Orlando Smith Hospital' is now official name
Following the renaming of the Peebles Hospital to the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital, the signage change on the territory's premier public hospital is estimated to cost upwards of 100k according to officials from the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA). Photo: GIS/File
According to CEO of the BVIHSA Dr Ronald E. Georges, the name change is now official and as such, the signage will follow. Photo: GIS/FIle
According to CEO of the BVIHSA Dr Ronald E. Georges, the name change is now official and as such, the signage will follow. Photo: GIS/FIle
Dr. D. Orlando Smith is regarded as one of the absolute best medical doctors in the region and has excelled in the arena so much, it has outshone his work in the political sphere. Photo: VINO/File
Dr. D. Orlando Smith is regarded as one of the absolute best medical doctors in the region and has excelled in the arena so much, it has outshone his work in the political sphere. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The signage to reflect the renaming of the Peebles Hospital to the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital is estimated to cost upwards of $100, 000, according to officials from the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA).

"Just Prior to the elections, the previous government took a bill to the House of Assembly and they went through that process, and they changed the name of the hospital from Peebles to Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital," CEO of the BVIHA Dr Ronald E. GEorges said in noting the move was also gazetted.

He was at the time speaking on the Tuesday, October 29, 2019, edition of Honestly with host Claude O. Skelton-Cline on Public Radio ZBVI 780am.

Name change official - Dr Georges 

"We didn't necessarily get our official notification, I know the press had been calling... so eventually we did get official notification from the government, to go ahead and make the change," Dr Georges told the listening audience. 

According to the BVIHSA, instances where the name of the old facility was retained, include 'The Major Peebles Wing'; however, officials reiterated that the name change is being used across documentation like letterheads. 

When questioned when exactly the name change would reflect on the signage of the hospital, it was revealed that the old signage cost some $100, 000 to erect and a new signage is estimated to cost an even greater figure.

Dr Smith's Legacy 

Most historians and residents of the Virgin Islands (VI) will remember Dr Smith's political leadership as one tainted with corruption allegations, financial mismanagement, no accountability, lack of transparency and the split of the National Democratic Party (NDP)—a party he co-founded—into two.

However, with regards to Dr Smith’s medical career, he is regarded as one of the absolute best in the region and has excelled in the arena so much it has outshone his work in the political sphere.

To this end, the NDP Government took the decision to cement Dr Smith’s name in history by renaming the Peebles Hospital in his honour.  

The motion was taken to the House of Assembly (HoA) by the then Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

24 Responses to “Peebles Hospital signage change likely to cost over $100K”

  • Really? (30/10/2019, 16:00) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    100K for a sign? This is not the same NDP who rob and rape the treasure.. is VIP
  • Me (30/10/2019, 16:25) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    What the hell u guys always always has negative sayings when such times arrive.Call a spade a spade is fine,but give credit when credit is due.Former leader of corrupt govt.,now tell me the good things let's see.which outweight the other
  • Outsider (30/10/2019, 16:49) Like (19) Dislike (19) Reply
    Dr. Smith, a born BVILANDERS should be ASHAMED of himself as a doctor and politician of the mishandling of public funds to have his name appear on that hospital. Put that 100k towards failing NHI. He is not honorable to deserve that. We must march!!
  • GG (30/10/2019, 17:10) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    No wonder the UK want RDA and all these things... Why a sign will cost over 100k? That is absolutely ridiculous.
  • Pastor (30/10/2019, 17:22) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply

    If it's going to cost that much, better leave the name alone. Dr. Smith and his gang of te@s cost us enough already.

    • Jessica Jones (30/10/2019, 19:09) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Pastor. I agree with you 110%. Leave the a$$ of it how it is. Peebles Hospiral.
  • ABC (30/10/2019, 17:48) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    The 7.2m could pay for it
    • Strange Politics (31/10/2019, 07:09) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      This the first country I see where the in coming government make no changes to the out going government policies .... Some may say this is good. Some may say this is bad ...I do know when people vote for change they expect to see change or else they will vote for change until they see change.
  • Quiet Rebel (30/10/2019, 19:15) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    All I can say is wow! All government projects are over priced. It is crazy and ridiculous. No one seems to have the stones to say no to the highway robbery.
  • Norris Trunbull. (30/10/2019, 21:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    That doctor look like Guy Hill a bit.
    • Understand.. (31/10/2019, 07:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Half is cut backs, spin back, cut corners ... Nothing for free.
    • @Norris Turnbull (31/10/2019, 21:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Mr. Turnbull you have a very sharp eye.
      his great grandmother was Amelia Hill buried in Road Town Methodist Cemetery.
      She is a great Aunt of Guy Hill
    • Enquiring Mind (02/11/2019, 12:48) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Dr. Georges, current CEO of BVIHSA, and former Chief Immigration Officer, Guy Hill are cousins. Dr Smith and Dr. Georges are from the old 1%, the elite families on Main Street. They are not to blame for their families success. Plus they work hard for their own success and return home to give back. Great example of giving back. Guy Hill is a main streeter but an up streeter. What is the fuss about changing the sign. The name of the Peebles Hospital was legitimately change to Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital. Elections has consequences; some may not like the change and see it as politics. Nonetheless, what a shock politicians make political decisions. The $100K plus to change the sign is outrageous and unreasonableness .It never fails that all government projects are overprice with taxpayers paying out of the nose. Government projects are seen as cash cows. But the contractors cannot be blame. They make an order, albeit outrageous offers, and government accept. Moreover, out of respect for the process whether we disagree or not the sign needs to replace. The sign does not have to Ben replace in like kind. A free standing sign on the ground will do. Place a building number on the hospital. Admin Building, Building 1 and hospital can be Building 2. Bam case close.
  • Deh Watcha (30/10/2019, 21:57) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    Peebles Hospital should have never been placed on that building in the first place.

    It is a totally separate building and the meaning behind the naming of the original Peebles Hospital has no ties to this new building.
  • I like Doc a lot (31/10/2019, 07:03) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    I want to congratulate Doc. Though I quite don't see the achievement to justify this honour. .. I also don't see the achievement to Justify Ralph's honor. One visible positive thing this country can see under Ralph's leadership are the Street lights. Frazer had to push and fight to get them... I still think Doc did lot more than Ralph. The 4 lane high way is a great achievement that should have had a name attached to it ...
    • x (31/10/2019, 16:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The 4 lane highway already has a name attached to it. James Walter Francis Highway.
  • Yep (31/10/2019, 09:50) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    While we’re on renaming. Let’s change the name of Sir Francis Drake Highway to someone or something else
    • Second That (31/10/2019, 10:26) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      That is a great suggestion. Why in the world we have our highway named after such a barbaric brute is beyond me
  • Concern Citizen (31/10/2019, 10:34) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I see no need to rename the hospital, Dr. Smith was and is a good surgeon/doctor ........ why not name the Surgical Ward after him and leave the name as is (Peebles Hospital). That $100K can be used towards something else.
  • Jordana (31/10/2019, 11:43) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    @ Outsider.. I agree with you 1 million percent.. I admire doc for his work in medicine but as our leader he let this country down in the worst way and he is not worthy of this honor.. yes I am also in favor of naming the med-surg ward after him but not the hosp.. I for one seeing that sign would enrage me every time.. why waste that money to do this.. first of all I felt that this naming should have been put before the people and get a vote; and yes while we are renaming I am also for changing the name of our highway.. Minister Fahie don’t take our monies to do this.. let them find the 7.2 millions dollars what they squandered to pay for it .. then again not even that.. use this money wisely and funnel it into NHi and other projects to benefit the people for its the people’s’ monies they squandered..
  • We want her go home (31/10/2019, 14:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We or hard working PUBLIC SERVANTS and overworked and underpaid to we don't want the white hair woman she need to go home she don't care about her ppl
  • Boo (31/10/2019, 21:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nobody said there was a plan for Government or BVIHSA to change the sign yet everybody jumping to confusions..
  • concerned bvislander (02/11/2019, 08:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is outrageous!!! What right does The NDP Government have to change the name of the hospital without consulting the people of the Virgin Islands. Peebles hospital was named after Major Peebles who played an important roll in BVI history. This decision is not something that should be taken lightly or rushed into. Who's paying for the sign? Maybe the ones that voted to change the name should have the funds come out of their pockets not ours. As a BVIslander "IT IS NOT WANTED OR WARRANTED". If you have to spend that kind of money, spend it on helping BVIslanders that are still struggling from the devastation caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria, not on a $100K + sign. Get your priorities and heads on straight. The Government that’s in now needs to reverse this before it goes any further.


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