October 21 to 28 marks a celebration of Nurses who selflessly devote themselves to safe practice and safe care to their patients. This year’s theme is “EMpowerED Help in a Heartbeat”. Photo: Provided

Peebles Hospital has been hit by a shortage of nursing staff since the passage of Hurricane Irma in September 2017. Photo: VINO

According to release from the Government Information Service dated October 18, 2018, October 21 to 28 marks a celebration of Nurses who selflessly devote themselves to safe practice and safe care to their patients.

Emergency Department (ED) Nurse Manager, Mrs Angela Williams said this year’s theme is “EMpowerED Help in a Heartbeat” and that the week is an opportunity to highlight and appreciate Emergency Nurses who are on the frontline 24/7 and are vital to the delivery of healthcare.

Rapid Assessment & Treatment

According to the release, Mrs Williams stated that Emergency Department nurses provide rapid assessment and treatment to patients in the initial phase of their illness or trauma and that they are knowledgeable and competent in treating a wide range of medical, surgical, paediatric, gynaecological, orthopaedic, and psychological emergencies.

The Nurse Manager said patients are seen in the Emergency Department on a worst case first basis and not a come first basis when accessing emergency services.  She said, “Their expertise in the treatment of patients who present to the Emergency Department is invaluable.”

Mrs Williams added,  “Patients with the flu, common cold, skin rashes for over a week, old injuries, simple lacerations, need to access our primary health care facilities or health centres, instead of presenting to the Emergency Department where they will have to wait for long periods, as there might be patients with life-threatening conditions that must be dealt with.”

 “The most acutely ill patients are the priority in an Emergency Department, and are triaged quickly on arrival to determine how they will be seen based on their condition,” she said.

High cost of living, no housing discouraging nurses

Back in January 2018, VINO has reported that the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) was facing an exodus of nurses since Hurricane Irma in September 2017 and was finding it challenging to swiftly recruit others.

Director of Nursing Ms Gretchen Hodge-Penn who confirmed the challenges said recruiting, especially nurses, for the BVIHSA has always been a major challenge because of the long drawn out process that applies.

"Since Irma, it's become even worse. Since Irma, some have declined to come and work here because of the fact that the cost of living as they compare it (with theirs and other countries), it is not going to make it."

The other issue that compromises the importation of nurses is the housing challenges. "We don't have residence (housing) to provide for them so why should they leave their country to come to ours?" Hodge-Penn asked rhetorically.

Back then, at least three other high ranking officials of the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) alluded to the staff depletion, especially nurses. They were Chief Executive Officer of BVIHSA Ms Paula G. Chester-Cumberbatch, Chief Medical Officer Dr Irad Potter, Dr Harlan O. Vanterpool. It’s unclear if these challenges still exist as the territory prepares to celebrate another year under the theme “EMpowerED Help in a Heartbeat”

Nurse shortage 

When the BVIHSA reportedly snubbed Dr Ronald E. Georges and hired the fired T&T health boss Paula Chester-Cumberbatch to the CEO position in 2016, one of their claims was that they wanted someone who had the know-how and experience in hospital accreditation. 

In June 2018, VINO reported that sixty-three persons have quit, or have signalled an intention to resign from the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), from critical areas such as nursing, pharmaceuticals and medical practitioners and as such, a considerable part of the agency’s 2018 budget for staffing, will go towards the costs of replacing those members. According to Ms Chester-Cumberbatch, the lack of medical personnel such as nurses at especially Peebles Hospital was a far cry from what existed pre Hurricane Irma.

Ms Paula Chester-Cumberbatch in her appearance before the Standing Finance Committee, of the Virgin Islands’ (VI) House of Assembly, again advised that the losses in staff were had as a direct result of hurricanes Irma and Maria last year.

This year’s Emergency Nurses Week activities will commence on Sunday, October 21 with nurses joining the congregation of St. William Roman Catholic Church in worship. Wednesday, October 24 will be observed as Emergency Nurses Appreciation Day and a night of fun and games will be held on Thursday, October 25.

The nurses will participate in a community outreach project on Friday, October 26 and the week will conclude on Saturday, October 27 with a pool and beach day at the Nanny Cay pool. Persons are encouraged to support the week of activities and are reminded to access Emergency Department services appropriately.