The Nurse Iris O'Neal Clinic was closed in October 2025 for essential infrastructural work. Since then, a field hospital has been deployed on the clinic’s grounds. Photo: Facebook/BVIHSA

From left: Talking Points Co-hosts Damion C. Grange, Elvin G. Grant, and guests Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BVIHSA, Dr June M. Samuel and BVIHSA Financial Comptroller Mr Errol Jones. Photo: Facebook

Service at the Nurse Iris O'Neal Clinic on Virgin Gorda has been disrupted to allow for essential infrastructural work since October 2025. Photo: Facebook/BVIHSA

Inside the field hospital on the grounds of the Nurse Iris O'Neal Clinic on Virgin Gorda. Photo: Facebook/BVIHSA

The clinic was closed in October 2025 for essential infrastructural work. Since then, a field hospital has been deployed on the clinic’s grounds. 

Recurrent challenges

Dr Samuel, speaking on Talking Points on ZBVI 780 AM, on Monday, January 19, 2026, explained that there have been recurrent challenges with the infrastructure at the clinic 

“I think everybody is aware that one of the major challenges we’ve had has to do with the roof, the failing of the roof; and that contributes to the air quality issues and the working environment for staff. That is being addressed.”

She said the Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the roof repairs are “just about ready” now that the 2026 budget has passed. 

Dr Samauel added that another recurrent issue is with the air conditioning unit at the clinic. 

“We had some malfunctioning two years ago and then again last year. So we took the decision, based on the advice we received, to change the system out.”

This was currently ongoing, and Dr Samuel said she was assured by the vendor that work on the air conditioning unit would be done soon, after delays. 

She also said that by changing the air conditioning unit, the BVIHSA would be saving because the need for constant repairs to the system when there was no local technician trained in that particular system was becoming a challenge. 

None of us are happy with field hospital situation

Dr Samuel said that due to the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic being a health care facility, there are technical requirements that need to be met following the work done. 

These include temperature and humidity, among others, following which a deep cleaning and an initial air quality assessment will be done

The BVIHSA had said in a statement that this phase is expected to take approximately ten days. Following the successful completion of this process and confirmation that the facility is safe, health services will be relocated to the clinic.

“None of us are happy about the staff and care having to be delivered from a field hospital. It’s not a situation we take lightly, but we have to just continuously work on getting these things,” she said. 

The BVIHSA’s statement added that a one- month follow-up air quality assessment will be conducted after reoccupation. 

A company specialising in industrial-grade cleaning and air quality services has already been selected and remains on standby to commence works once the installation phase is finalised.