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Senior citizens homes on Tortola & VG still overcrowded years later

- Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly overspent its 2015 budget due to overcrowding- Standing Finance Committee Report
For well over eight (8) years and counting the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly (left), located in Road Town on the main Island of Tortola, has faced overcrowding. There are reports also reaching our news room that the home for the elderly in Valley, Virgin Gorda is also overcrowded and it’s alleged that residents are living in less than dignified conditions. Photo: VINO/File
Testifying before the 2016 House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee (SFC) on the Budget, Chief Social Development Officer in the Social Development Department, Mrs Anne Malone-Frett (right) told the Committee that the Adina Donovan Home needed the most assistance in terms of funding. Mrs Malone-Frett also stated that at the end of 2015 the ‘Operational Expenses’ of the home was over spent by some $13,000.00, however, she did not give a breakdown as to how the funds were spent. Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Ms Petrona N. Davis told lawmakers told the SFC that the Ministry plans to move the administrative unit of the Home to the old Peebles Hospital where the pharmacy was located. Photo: Youtube/File
Testifying before the 2016 House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee (SFC) on the Budget, Chief Social Development Officer in the Social Development Department, Mrs Anne Malone-Frett (right) told the Committee that the Adina Donovan Home needed the most assistance in terms of funding. Mrs Malone-Frett also stated that at the end of 2015 the ‘Operational Expenses’ of the home was over spent by some $13,000.00, however, she did not give a breakdown as to how the funds were spent. Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Ms Petrona N. Davis told lawmakers told the SFC that the Ministry plans to move the administrative unit of the Home to the old Peebles Hospital where the pharmacy was located. Photo: Youtube/File
The National Democratic Party Government has put a stop to the construction of the new elderly home on Tortola for lack of funds. Photo: VINO/File
The National Democratic Party Government has put a stop to the construction of the new elderly home on Tortola for lack of funds. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- For well over eight (8) years and counting the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly, located in Road Town on the main Island of Tortola, has faced overcrowding.

It remains unclear what is the Government’s official policy for placing the elderly there, however, Officials at the Home and the Ministry of Health and Social Development have complained for years that the public has used the home as a dumping ground for loved ones they could no longer take care of, or in cases where families are overseas and the state has to become the caretaker.

Testifying before the 2016 House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee (SFC) on the Budget, Chief Social Development Officer in the Social Development Department, Mrs Anne Malone-Frett told the Committee that the Adina Donovan Home needed the most assistance in terms of funding.

Mrs Malone-Frett also stated that at the end of 2015 the ‘Operational Expenses’ of the home was over spent by some $13,000.00, however, she did not give a breakdown as to how the funds were spent.

She further stated that her Department has created an admission policy that looked at the issues related to the admission and discharge of persons from the Home. The Chief Social Development Officer said the draft copy of the admission and discharge proposal will be sent to the Ministry of Health and Social Development.

Proposal for more space

Also before the Standing Finance Committee (SFC), the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Ms Petrona N. Davis told lawmakers what her Ministry was planning to do with the funding allotted to them under the development projects. She told the SFC that the Ministry plans to move the administrative unit of the Home to the old Peebles Hospital where the pharmacy was located.

Ms Davis further explained that “there would be a better separation of residences which would alleviate the situation until a new home was constructed.”

The Permanent Secretary also confirmed that the BVI Health Services Authority had granted permission for the Ministry to use the old Peebles Hospital for that purpose, following a question from Leader of the Opposition and Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA.

VG Home for the Elderly overcrowded also

There are reports also reaching our newsroom that the home for the elderly in Valley, Virgin Gorda is also overcrowded and it’s alleged that residents are living in less than dignified conditions. A few years ago the Virgin Gorda Public Works Department was relocated from next to the Virgin Gorda Elderly Home.

Many of the residents and staff used to complain for many years about the dust, noise and poor outside conditions.

The National Democratic Party Government has put a stop to the construction of the new elderly home on Tortola for lack of funds.

14 Responses to “Senior citizens homes on Tortola & VG still overcrowded years later”

  • pat (04/05/2016, 15:45) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The soul of the BVI should be ashame this is how we treat our seniors
    • for real (04/05/2016, 16:23) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      It is a shame how these poor seniors who paved the way for us have to be treated this way. My grandmother always said when you become elderly, the dog is better than you and when you become elderly, no one have any use for you. Sea View nursing home in ST.Thomas is closing and they are shipping the seniors to the States. I am sure most of those seniors is not able to travel.
  • cay (04/05/2016, 15:53) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lord vino it seems like you all read the entre report lol
  • Hmmmm (04/05/2016, 16:46) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Where are the families!! Then we want to bash the government for building a proper home for them instead of the 2 by 4 they live in? Families should be ashamed..if there is no reasonable explaination, which I highly doubt
  • how? (04/05/2016, 17:07) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
    The home on VG houses 2 persons, HOW is that overcrowded? I understand the conditions could be a bit better but report facts please.
  • bvi (04/05/2016, 19:45) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Government takes on too much of the peoples' in this country responsibilities. First thing some of the family members would say that they are paying tax so the government have to take care of their family. We all pay tax but still we take on our responsibilities. They should be shame on themselves. What wrong with assisting with a little something for your own. Shame.... Shame... Just plain rude. Government of the BVI wise up.
  • ndp are wastes (04/05/2016, 19:55) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    Ronnie built a million dollar wall at spooner's to hold up the sun light and he also paved the road for cow to walk on.
  • Street reporter (04/05/2016, 20:31) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    The country ain got no money. They spending tax payers money like a drunking man in a night club with land Lord rent. Next day they out begging and borrowing...
  • Observer (04/05/2016, 20:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    NDP got the country broke were will they get money from to build a new old people home?
  • Hmm (04/05/2016, 21:07) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Well what ya expect... when the minister going announce that the nursing home at spooners is not a priority right now? Yes this was in light of the new hospital being completed but it also seems to me that our leaders care more about the tourists visiting the islands than the people who actually live here. Cause in the same breath he toutin' medical tourism strongly. We got wool over our eyes. People don't take care of the elderly like they used to. Regardless... times are HARD. Caregiving services are EXPENSIVE.


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