Health Minister Proposes Bringing Home Virgin Islanders To Work
BVI Platinum News
Updated: March 15, 2013 1:20 pm AST
Published: March 15, 2013 7:35 am AST
The new Peebles Hospital currently under construction.
Photo Credit: Gordon French/BVI Platinum News
Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton, Minister for Health and Social Development believes that the plan implemented by the 2003-2007 National Democratic Party (NDP) administration to bring Virgin Islanders home to work should still be pursued.

The Health Minister recently told residents that with the new Peebles Hospital coming on stream, Government will be looking to nurses on scholarships to return home and fill the staffing needs.

"We have a lot of nurses overseas being trained. We have had nurses trained who have not come back. We are trying to find who they are and get them to come back to give some national service," Minister Skelton stated.

The Minister said Government needs to bring its people home and offer them lucrative salaries and benefits. According to Minister Skelton, the previous NDP Government instituted a plan to bring Virgin Islanders home, but the persons who were involved in executing the programme started asking what was in it for them.

"The very people who were here assisting us in making the programme, they turned around at the last minute and said now you doing all of that for them, what you doing for we?...Shortly thereafter, we were put out of office...It's a good programme. It's something we need to do to encourage our people to come back to give some kind of service to this country and they have used tax payers' money to be trained," Minister Skelton stated.

The BVI Health Services is looking to recruit close to 100 more nursing staff to fill the needs of the new Peebles Hospital, which is set to be completed in August of this year.

During the sitting of the House of Assembly on February 12, Minister Skelton revealed that currently there are 33 Medical Doctors on staff. He also shared that there are some 110 nursing staff, which includes 79 Registered Nurses and Registered Nurse Midwives, 11 Unit Managers and 20 Nursing Assistants.

As it relates to Allied Health Practitioners, Minister Skelton pointed out that there are currently 43 on staff.

Speaking about staffing of the new hospital, Minister Skelton stated that the projected needs are 32 Medical Doctors, 204 nursing staff and 65 Allied health Practitioners.

The Minister noted that some of the recently trained medical officers will be required to specialize in select areas, such as family medicine. He stated that several new doctors will also be deployed to community health services for expanded services and extended operating hours in poly-clinics.

The staffing strategy is being worked on for the new hospital and Minister Skelton stated that the framework will ensure that the authority's hiring, training, retention and deployment decisions are aligned to the future needs of the new Peebles Hospital.
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  • Readers' Opinion
North Carolina | Report Abuse
I am from Tortola and I went to Nursing School in The USA, not on a Government grant. I got a job at one of the local supermarkets to pay my school fees. I pass the State Board and secured a nice paying job in labor and delivery at one of North Carolina's best hospital. I can also go into private... more
March 16 at 2:27pm  |  Like ▪ 3 People like this.   Dislike
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Tortolian, NYC | Report Abuse
Sorry, but I don't think so. The only way is if they are willing to match the salary that I am making. I have my Masters in accounting and I am working as a CPA in accounting making six figures a year. Why should I give that up to go back to Tortola and make half of that. If they are willing to... more
March 16 at 2:06pm  |  Like   Dislike
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I concur | Report Abuse
I agree with you...if not match it, then do the very best to come close, especially when it's a essential position you are trying to fill. The other peeve I have is that I hear many stories of graduates with experience who come into the service with such enthusiasm about bringing positive... more
March 18 at 1:00pm  |  Like   Dislike
hsa employee | Report Abuse
I am sick to my stomach with this health services authority charades. I wish the news sites would STOP posting articles about the HSA and let them work out their internal issues in peace. All this public announcement about plans to do this and plans to do that is just HOT AIR!!!!!!!!!!... more
March 16 at 9:29am  |  Like ▪ 2 People like this.   Dislike
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This is interesting | Report Abuse
I was one of the fortunate few to received a scholarship to study abroad upon graduating from high school, I studied hard, got 1 Bachelor and 2 Master degrees. BTW, this was courtesy of the hardworking taxpayers, thank you. Applied for numerous jobs and have yet to be unsuccessful in landing... more
March 16 at 3:17am  |  Like ▪ 2 People like this.   Dislike
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Now I am beginning to understand why so many qualified people from Tortola is working in the US. I don't blame them one bit.At least in the US, you will make a better salary, excellent benefits and you also have a union to work for you if there is a problem on the job.No, you should not put your... more
March 17 at 4:28pm  |  Like ▪ 1 Person like this.   Dislike
BVI MAN | Report Abuse
You have degrees which are good. But what about experience to take up a senior post? Some times we have to sacrifice even when qualified and take a more junior position in order to get the hands-on experience. A person with over 20yrs executive experience and no formal degree is more 'qualified'... more
March 18 at 10:24am  |  Like   Dislike
Person of the Way | Report Abuse
The fact that government now has to look for those persons who obtained government funding and did not return home speaks of inept leadership and poor planning and administration.

The hospital has been under construction for the past 20 plus years and yet there is no comprehensive plan in... more
March 15 at 11:49pm  |  Like ▪ 1 Person like this.   Dislike
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Yes they may not return but we are not only looking at the fact tht government funded the main expense. Wht about the other bills that occurs during the schooling process. Why should a qualified nurse work below the salary of office workers that are nowhere of the same caliber. Why not let the... more
March 15 at 10:14pm using an iPad  |  Like   Dislike
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BVI MAN | Report Abuse
Oh, how could I forget. Some of these same people were born in St Thomas, PR and USA so they are double-dipping. They get a Government Scholarship, some get half-salary or other monthly stipend and on top of that, they apply for US financial aid because of their nationality. Then they want to... more
March 15 at 9:11pm  |  Like ▪ 1 Person like this.   Dislike ▪ 2 People dislike this.
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cat man | Report Abuse
I totaly agree with u ,,, when u get sick in ur *** u go and meet them where ever they are for them to take care of u. Better for them to come back and take care of u .. ur children and ur grand ma,,, than for u all to go to PR , Dum Rat.
March 16 at 8:04pm using an iPad  |  Like   Dislike
A Fahie | Report Abuse
Yaaawn.
March 15 at 4:08pm  |  Like ▪ 3 People like this.   Dislike
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Weird | Report Abuse
If they have to try to find out who the persons are that they invested their money in, then that proves there is no proper mechanism in place for keeping track of these individuals in the Ministry of Education. Furthermore, if you say one say two as well, because I am sure you will find that many... more
March 15 at 3:04pm  |  Like ▪ 5 People like this.   Dislike
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So true! In many cases, they have expats in the positions and when BVIslanders graduate, the expats don't want to vacate the position. Rather than let the expat train the BVIslander for a smooth transition, they keep the expat and the BVIslander is out of luck with their education. Most times... more
March 15 at 3:43pm  |  Like ▪ 3 People like this.   Dislike
When the government is given scholarships do they put a grant on also when the courses is finish they can return back home to serve their country.
March 15 at 2:52pm  |  Like   Dislike ▪ 2 People dislike this.
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Please note that the comments posted are the views and opinion of the commentor and do not in any way represent the views or opinions of the management and staff of Virgin Islands Platinum News and its parent company Platinum Investors Limited.
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