BVIHSA Director says hospital has ‘full nurse coverage’ for days now
Director of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), Moleto Smith said contrary to reports, the emergency room at the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital has full nursing coverage and is completely safe to visit in the event of an emergency.
Yesterday, BVI News reported that a senior worker from the hospital claimed the management was lying to the public about a silent protest in which more than 20 nurses have not turned up to work since Friday.
However, Smith said he had a conversation with the interim Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Angelina John, about the alleged situation and she had a conversation with the Director of Nursing Pearla Sylvester-Thomas.
‘Serious nursing shortage around the world’
Smith, while Speaking on ZBVI Radio, said the information he has received is that there is full coverage of nurses on all the shifts over the last few days.
“As you know, there is and has been a serious nursing shortage around the world and those issues are not alien to the BVIHSA or to the Virgin Islands itself. We understand that there are concerns around the area dealing with burnout, etcetera, and our executive team have been meeting with the leaders of the respective areas to address them and they will in turn advise the board of their report and the board will take appropriate answers to address these concerns. So, the public can be assured that our emergency room and other areas have not been impacted by lack of coverage,” the Director stated.
He acknowledged there are concerns from staff regarding the nature of healthcare in the territory and Smith said once the board receive the report from its investigating team, it will take them into consideration and do its part in addressing the issues.
The emergency room is safe
Smith mentioned he is not one to keep up with blogs and social media posts regarding what the public perceives as an issue at the BVIHSA, but he noted it is unfair to say the emergency room is unsafe for the public.
“These are things we will continue to address and deal with but to say that there is a risk in our emergency room and that the person should feel unsafe going to the hospital during an emergency is not something I can support. That is not consistent with the report I have gotten,” Smith added.
The Board Director also claimed he did not receive a letter from nurses from the emergency room outlining a list of grievances they had with operation at the hospital.
The BVIHSA has not received any letters
BVI News obtained a copy of the letter reportedly written to senior management at the BVIHSA dated February 6, 2022. The letter was addressed to the Director Smith; the Director of Nurses, Pearla Sylvester-Thomas; the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Angelina John; and the Acting Human Resource Manager Ishma Edwards.
“I and the board have not received any letter directed to the board. I know that our executive team has been in various meetings with members of the authority — nurses. Some of their concerns, whatever they may be, they will be brought to the board, and they will be considered. But to say that I have received a letter or that the board has received one is not accurate,” Smith said.
He said there are upcoming meetings to address certain concerns that have been raised by nurses and those will be pursued in the coming days. Asked if he is aware of a meeting nurses reportedly had with the Premier and the Health Minister this month, Smith mentioned there have been meetings with various groups, but he was not privy to those meetings. He further said he will be briefed in the coming days.
“We are meeting with certain concerned staffs as well as other affected folks in the coming days, based on what comes of that meeting, the board will look at whatever corrective action at the board level will need to be done,” Smith added.
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This guy has a full time job in the USVI and is Chairman of our BVIHSA. How the f**k?
…..tired
So he is virtually calling shots from St.Thomas? That is our government working for we
Then tell them to let us the unvaccinated return to St. Thomas without being vaccinated. Lift that shady crap.
@ heckler. Is this true about those 2 jobs?
A quick look and yes New USVI-based health services chair approved has multiple jobs
https://www.bvibeacon.com/new-usvi-based-health-services-chair-approved/
But are the nurses qualified ?
the director of nursing is a professional l**r and from long before she has been a l**r if u lied things will never get better but worse , why polish a brown shoe in black at some point in time its true colours must show ,take care and be very mindful that this doesn’t back fire on you ,cuz u will be sorry for yourself ,take pattern from your ceo, we will hear about you
This is a very, very bad decision to get a person living in St Thomas in the Chair position.. He cant be available for a face to face sit down in a crisis or call an emergency meeting, or run by the hospital and see whats actually going on and have conversations..He has no idea whats going on. He is useless.
You know that the system and territory are in trouble when those persons mentioned are at the helm of this important Organization. What are their qualifications and expertise?
Is the board serious? So sad.
Stop this foolishness that Smith is not available. The man is in the BVI several times a month. From what I hear the last chair was a BVIslander living in DC. Smith is a BVIslander living in the USVI, so what? No body even meets face to face anymore, anyway, because of COVID. The damn place needs to clean up so let the man get on with it.
If these nurses have a certified leave slip, either they’re really sick or they and the doctor who signed the thing are lying and committing fraud. Go figure.
I really believe everything is normal in the ER nurses are well paid , no shortage of staff , no language barriers , lots of medical supply , support from Board
A lying bunch of Board members
CEO
Minister of Health and Premier
Truth is no longer relevant This government has told more lies to the public than all the administrators put together
The chair is yet another job for the cronies. Another useful tea pot made outta ice. Very useful?
You know that the system and territory are in trouble when those persons mentioned are at the helm of this important Organization. What are their qualifications and expertise?
Is the board serious? So sad.