Progress report on New Peebles Hospital Project
STATEMENT BY MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT HONOURABLE RONNIE W. SKELTON AT THE SIXTH SITTING OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE SECOND HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS - Friday, May 11th, 2012 at 9:33 AM
New Peebles Hospital
THURSDAY, 10 MAY, 2012 – Madam Speaker, I wish to provide an update on a topic which is of great interest to the people of the Territory and one that is dearest to my heart, and that is the New Peebles Hospital Project.
On returning to office, I immediately conducted an internal review for the internal works contract with the Ministry of Health and the Hospital Project management team. A review undertaken by the previous administration resulted in the termination of the previous General Contractor, CARIMEX LLC. Madam Speaker, my understanding is that it indicated poor quality of several aspects of Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) installations, among other deficiencies. As a result the project had been delayed for approximately two years. Subsequently, a contract was awarded to James Todman dck Construction Limited on November 4, 2011.
As of January, the contractor was informed to mobilise in accordance with the terms of reference in the contract. In particular, the contractor was instructed to secure the performance bond and other relevant insurance documents needed to take over the project site.
While the contractor assembled his construction team and worked to obtain those documents, the Ministry of Health and Social Development took the opportunity, Madam Speaker, to review and strengthen its project office with the intent to provide more effective management, supervision and related services; and to ensure the delivery of the project within the revised time frame of 15 months and at the agreed contractual sum of $30,808,870.00.
Madam Speaker, towards this end, local Engineer Ms. Shaina Smith, a specialist in Project Administration was hired as Assistant Project Manager; and consultant architect and engineer Mr. Daniel T. DeMeyer, was hired as a Quality Engineer to ensure that the project deliverables conform to International Building Codes 2003/2009.
Mr. DeMeyer was the lead designer of the New Peebles Hospital as a former employee of the project architectural/engineering consultants, PageSoutherlandPage. An architect and engineer, Mr. DeMeyer has been working in the construction industry for over 25 years, with the last ten years primarily in the development of health care facilities.
The expanded and enhanced project team is tasked with ensuring that the project savings of approximately 5-10% are realised through the incorporation of value engineering. In addition, the Project Team would be expected to ensure that the Project is completed within the time frame stipulated in the contract.
Madam Speaker, despite some difficulty experienced by the Contractor with respect to the performance security required under the Contract, I am pleased to report that we are now in the final stages of review and approval of the necessary documentation. I therefore expect construction activity on the project site to kick into high gear without further delay.
Regarding the Building Envelope and External Works contract with James Todman Construction, the Contractor has been completing retaining walls and external canopies, adjusting the earthwork grades, and paving the main car park. Corrective work was also carried out on the main access road, the Annex roof, and the roof guttering on the new hospital. Furthermore, roofing has been installed in all areas that are not expected to be impacted by internal works. Window installation is the most significant part of the External Works yet to be completed. The Ministry’s Project Office is working to ensure effective coordination between both contracts.
In the meantime, Madam Speaker, we are working diligently to improve the ambiance and efficiency of service at the existing Hospital, to better accommodate patients as they wait to be seen. A new outpatient clinic is being outfitted with consultation rooms to accommodate expanded specialist services, and to provide ambulatory services beyond the regular operating hours of our community clinics. This would allow us to more effectively address patient needs onsite, while reducing the demands placed on the resources of the Emergency Room.
Madam Speaker, I reaffirm my commitment to this Honourable House and to the people of these Virgin Islands, to finish the new hospital and to deliver 21st century health care to the Territory, as our people deserve only the best that we have to offer in terms of health care.
I thank you.
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9 Comments
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When it all done we will have the most expensive hospital in the world hope the services will be top notch
something wrong, contract signed november 4th and today is may 12th (6 months)and they still aint got a bond in place. And they honestly believe they will get the job done in 15 months
that comment was to “critic” by the way
The man getting old, you must be think he getting younger, you yourself aint getting any younger. Stop nic picking and coco and listen to the real issue. so what if he asking for help with words, you never got help with words…stuppps. Why do I read these stupid blogs anyway.
It’s good to be getting some sort of report on what is going on with our hospital project!!! Is there going to be some sort of parking structure? This building is huge, the road is small & the parking space I see is inadequate. Please do not build another building (especially the hospital) in the BVI without proper parking. We can even make it paid parking.
will you be willing to pay?
Better to pay once and do it right than to not do it & have massive problems with parking going forward. Make it pay for itself. Charge for the parking.
i listened to ronnie yesterday and it seems like he’s having a lil memory problem…he have to be constantly turning to his colleagues and asking for help with words and answers….alzheimer’s kicking in?
seemed like he remembered to tell us, the public who put him there, what is going on with the hospital building. That is a hell of allot more than our former minister of health did.
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