Health services will begin transitioning back to Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic today, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, now that the air-conditioning installation works and comprehensive cleaning process have been completed. Photo: GIS/File

Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, the Minister for Health and Social Development and Ninth District Representative in the Virgin Islands, has announced that the initial phases of repair work on the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic in Virgin Gorda are expected to be completed and the clinic should be operational next week. Photo: Facebook

Service at Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic on Virgin Gorda was disrupted in October 2025 for essential infrastructural work. Since then, a field hospital has been deployed on the clinic’s grounds. Photo: VINO/Files

The British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) stated in a press release today that, following the completion of the installation phase, a thorough deep cleaning of the facility and the required air quality assessment were conducted to ensure the building meets all safety and environmental standards.

Relocation process begins

“With these works finalised, the Authority confirms that services will now transition back to the clinic.

“Effective Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the team will begin the relocation process to the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic. This transition is expected to be completed within three (3) days.”

Services at Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic were disrupted in October 2025 for essential infrastructural works, and a field hospital was deployed on the clinic’s grounds. 

Meanwhile, BVIHSA has advised the public that during this period of relocation to the building there may be brief interruptions to certain services.

“In particular, pharmacy services may experience temporary delays as equipment and supplies are repositioned and systems are fully restored.”

See previous article published February 6, 2026

Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic on VG operational by 'next week'- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley

Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, the Minister for Health and Social Development and Ninth District Representative in the Virgin Islands, has announced that the initial phases of repair work on the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic in Virgin Gorda are expected to be completed and the clinic should be operational by next week.

He provided this update during a Ninth District meeting held on February 5, 2026, at St Mary's Church Hall on Virgin Gorda, following a resident's enquiry about the progress of the repairs.

Open tender 

Minister Wheatley noted that the ministry has been addressing roof issues at the clinic for at least two years. However, he indicated that significant progress has been made, as there is now an open tender for the contract.

"We open the tender on Tuesday. The air conditioning was broken. It has just been replaced. They are currently demolding and cleaning the building. Once it finishes, it will take maybe three or four days, I guess, to move back into the building."

Hon Wheatley mentioned that the field hospital has been providing services to several residents of Virgin Gorda during the clinic's closure. He also pointed out that if hospitals become overwhelmed in the future, the field hospital is available to accommodate patients.

According to an article by VINO, the service at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic was disrupted in October 2025 for essential infrastructural work. Since then, a field hospital has been deployed on the clinic’s grounds. 

Field hospital 

"We have a field hospital, which is designed to do exactly what it is doing now. If, for some reason, we have an infrastructural failure or the hospitals are overwhelmed, people can always go to the field hospitals."

Minister Wheatley emphasised, "Hopefully, we should be back to normal in that clinic by next week once the second floor is properly sealed." 

The Health Minister reiterated his commitment to enhancing medical services in the Virgin Islands.