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Nursing shortage will continue without improved compensation packages- Ron R. Potter

Acknowledging that nurses are the backbone of the health care system, BVI Health Services Authority Chairman Mr Ron R. Potter said staffing issues will continue to be experienced at all the clinics across the territory if government is unable to attract persons to fill those vacant positions. Photo: Internet Source/File
Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Mr Ron R. Potter, right, seen here on Talking Points on September 9, 2024, said the issue of the shortage of nurses, doctors and other health services staff will continue if compensation packages are not improved. Photo: Facebook
Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Mr Ron R. Potter, right, seen here on Talking Points on September 9, 2024, said the issue of the shortage of nurses, doctors and other health services staff will continue if compensation packages are not improved. Photo: Facebook
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Mr Ron R. Potter says the issue of the shortage of nurses, doctors and other health services staff will continue if compensation packages are not improved.

Acknowledging that nurses are the backbone of the health care system, Mr Potter said staffing issues will continue to be experienced at all the clinics across the territory if government is unable to attract persons to fill those vacant positions.

Dr Potter was speaking on Talking Points on ZBVI 780 AM on Monday, September 9, 2024.

“Because of our budget, how we are compensated, at this point in time we are unable to offer some competitive salaries to nurses, so we do have a lot a lot of vacant positions in nursing that we need to ultimately recruit and have them filled.”

Mr Potter noted too that there is also a staff shortage for doctors, administrative staff and maintenance staff.

‘Competitive packages’

“We do have a shortage and it's mainly because of the, again, competitive packages.”

The BVIHSA Chairman said, in response to the staff shortage, the BVIHSA is about to launch a compensation review “to first and foremost look at the people who are there, how are they compensated? That's one, and then two, in terms of people who are looking to recruit, again, what is the market rate? What is a fair rate?

“That's a review that's still to be launched, right, but again it's something that we have identified over the last year or so and that we ultimately need to get done. And, as you know, these things take time,” Mr Potter stated.

The BVIHSA Chairman added that a discussion is ongoing between H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and the government about starting a nursing school.

Mr Potter was speaking on the backdrop of the death of Mr Revovion A. Sprauve aka ‘Bucky’ who died after being unable to access health care at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic (NIOC) on August 31, 2024.

8 Responses to “Nursing shortage will continue without improved compensation packages- Ron R. Potter”

  • Real Staff Nurse (10/09/2024, 15:28) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes, indeed the pay package needs to meet the needs of the staff, but please take into consideration that the way some of these manager's speak to staff ain't no amount of money is going to make staff want to stay with that kind of abuse either. FIX that too
    • Real Nurses #2 (10/09/2024, 18:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I am with you especially how some of the Unit Managers speak to and belittle their staff and the staff.
  • lord o. (10/09/2024, 15:44) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Honestly. I think the BVI has some of the best and most committed and loyal nurses in the world...Of course they are a few bad ones that always sick and always late. But we have some Nurses that can work and perform and be respected any part of the world...Here is where the problem is.The bad ones get the better treatment because they are friend or konning the boss with tricks and gifts. No your workers. Treat the good ones good, encourage the bad ones to get better.
  • @ Real Staff Nurse (10/09/2024, 16:11) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree. The Govt. needs to stop wasting money on crap & pay who’s there better & encourage more to join the field. Set of willful & selfish thieves in Govt.
  • Medical skills worth sourcing (10/09/2024, 16:49) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Today on the international news, it was reported that there is a shortage of doctors and nurses in the USA and in the UK. It is the same song we are singing in the BVI.
    However, has anyone recently tapped into the Cuban pool of doctors and nurses? From all accounts, Cuba has one of the best healthcare systems in the world with some of the best professionally-trained doctors and nurses. We need not suffer for the lack of these professionals, when they are situated right in this Caribbean region. Some were welcomed here before, can we not work out a partnership at this time to get onva better footing in Healthcare in the BVI?
    • Real Nurses #2 (10/09/2024, 18:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      There is a hugs shortage of Nurses in bedside nursing but otherwise there are nurses galore
  • 1%pay (10/09/2024, 17:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    where else in the world and outside BVIHSA do workers work and then be compensated after 25 to 30 yrs with 1% and all the heads who work int he USA UK always giving long talk about this and that but never say that the USA UK give them 1% but sit down and vote for a 1% to give staff. Mr. Minister and Board PLEASE look into this as less than 10 yrs ago it was 20% we looking at a 30% to save our faces from shame after working so long and cant buy a coke.
  • Stealth (10/09/2024, 19:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Slavery, colonialism, imperialism, etc,,exploited the labor of the enslaved. Today, they (developed) countries are it again by employing skill and brain drain, recruiting away nurses, teachers, etc, by being able to pay them more. Small island nation cannot compete with wealthier and richer developed countries. Small developing countries cannot compete with developed countries. So what can be they do , a) raised salary and other benefits, b) training more doctors, nurses,etc,


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