Even as tender is out for a transition management firm, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Ms. Petrona N. Davies said they have commenced moving offices. Photo: VINO

Ms. Davies said that when things go wrong it will be known but there has been much improvement in the Health Care sector of the VI. Photo: VINO

At the time of highlighting the issues, Ms. Davies was briefing reporters on a new initiative that has been undertaken in the form of Medical Tourism to boost the sector. Photo: VINO

This she assured is getting even better as they have begun to transition into the new facility. “Absolutely, I wish I could recite to you the list of letters and feedbacks that we have gotten from persons who have had excellent level of care at our facilities,” said Ms. Davies.

The Permanent Secretary has let the cat out of the bag as she told reporters that the transition into the new hospital facility is underway, to the extent that some of the offices are already in the process of relocation. 

This is happening even as a tender has been put out for a transition management firm and according to her, a final selection of the winning firm should be made sometime soon. “We expect Cabinet to make a final selection based on the outcome of the tender process in the coming weeks and certainly once that transition management firm is on board with us, we will have a much clearer timeline in terms of when the completion of the transition process will be.”

She further noted that the Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton had indicated that he would wish to formally open the facility soon. “A date will be announced at the appropriate time,” said Ms. Davies.

The PS noted that while things do go wrong at the Hospital, like any other facility, they nevertheless try to learn from those experiences and strenghten the health care system.

Ms. Davies was high in praise to the management and staff of the Peebles Hospital and the BVI Health Services Authority for taking on and addressing some of the challenges they have faced in the past and improving the quality of care.

At the time of releasing this information of the new development in the Health care sector, Ms. Davies was addressing reporters at a press briefing yesterday January 14, 2014, as they were preparing to venture into the expansion of Medical Tourism in the Territory. 

Addressing the issue of marrying the opening of the new hospital with Medical Tourism, she said it will result in more than just a physical relocation of services but also an opportunity to do things differently. “….already we have seen the benefits of having a collaboration with HEMA Health in assisting us to achieve those high standards that could be translated throughout the entire health system.”