'We have a plan' how to better pay health workers- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley
Speaking on the Virgin Islands Voice on April 16, 2025, Hon Wheatley was responding to questions about the various clinics on the sister islands, especially on Virgin Gorda.
During a sitting of the House of Assembly in January 2024, Hon Wheatley admitted that recruiting staff such as doctors and nurses continue to be a real challenge for the Virgin Islands (VI) and the main reason is the unattractive salaries.
While the salaries for nurses and doctors came under scrutiny for being lower than even other overseas territories, one can only imagine what the salaries for lower-level staff members are like.
During the Virgin Islands Voice, Hon Wheatley said the conversation should focus on how to pay the staff there better.
“I get a lot of complaints every day, and the Premier has promised to work with me. We have a plan of how to better pay, particularly the lower-level staff down there,” he said.
$$ for repairs available- Hon Wheatley
Meanwhile, Hon Wheatley said money is available for key upgrades to various health clinics, including the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, with funding from the $100 million loan acquired by the government in 2024.
As it relates to the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic on Virgin Gorda, Hon Wheatley said, “We have the money for that,” adding, “The tender is coming out in about two weeks to get the roof sealed.”
Hon Wheatley also said once the roof of the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic is sealed, people will witness “a lot of action inside the clinic”.
He explained that there is a lot of equipment for that particular clinic; however, the roof’s issues prevented it from being fully equipped.
“We are in April now, by May, that contract should be awarded to get that roof fixed.”
When it comes to the North Sound Clinic, also on Virgin Gorda, Hon Wheatley said work is being done there to address mold. He added that he was assured the clinic should reopen “very, very soon”.
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16 Responses to “'We have a plan' how to better pay health workers- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley”
Now here uou are with the same talk. Please just pay us our increments and raises. We tired of the old talk. No study needs to be done, just use the last one a call it George. This horse and pony show old and everyone sick and tired of it especially the staff. My suggestion just set a date for payment and start working. Understand this is a difficult time for all the staff and we need our payment like two years ago. Thank you.
fast and hard with no looking back