Health and Social Development Minister Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley has issued a direct apology to residents of Virgin Gorda over the disruption to services at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre, acknowledging the frustration caused by the temporary relocation of emergency care. Photo: Facebook

Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley statement comes as emergency services have been temporary relocated to St. Mary’s Anglican Church Hall while cleaning, maintenance and inspections are carried out at the clinic following an air-quality issue. Photo: Facebook

His statement comes as emergency services have been temporarily relocated to St. Mary’s Anglican Church Hall while cleaning, maintenance and inspections are carried out at the clinic following an air-quality issue.

Minister acknowledges setbacks and promises safety checks

Speaking both as Minister and as Ninth District Representative, Wheatley said, “I share that frustration,” and apologised for the inconvenience to a community that relies heavily on local healthcare access.

He explained that the relocation was a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of patients, healthcare professionals, and support staff.

“We have experienced challenges with the facility, and while work is underway to address them, situations such as this are setbacks along the way,” Wheatley said, adding that normal operations will only resume once all required inspections are completed and every health and safety requirement has been satisfied. 

The Ministry is awaiting the official report from the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) and will share further details with the public once that assessment is complete.

Interim service arrangements in place

Emergency services remain available 24 hours a day from St. Mary’s Anglican Hall in Spanish Town.

This latest disruption follows earlier remedial work at the Nurse Iris O’Neal facility. Services returned to the clinic in February after the installation of air‑conditioning equipment, comprehensive cleaning and an air‑quality assessment, following a period when staff and equipment operated from a temporary field hospital.

In August, a $562,100 contract was signed to repair the clinic’s roof, which Wheatley and other officials have described as critical to the future of healthcare on Virgin Gorda.

Call for patience as work continues

Residents are encouraged, where possible, to delay seeking non‑emergency services at the Medical Centre until further notice.

The Ministry has pledged to keep the community informed and to advise when services can safely resume at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre.

Wheatley thanked healthcare professionals, support teams, the leadership and congregation of St. Mary’s Anglican Church, and the wider Virgin Gorda community for their patience and cooperation during the temporary disruption.