Cabinet to discuss Ron Potter’s removal as BVIHSA Chair?
Discussions about removing Ron Potter as Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) will likely be included on the agenda of an upcoming Cabinet meeting, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has indicated.
This development follows reports that Health Minister Vincent Wheatley has requested Potter’s resignation.
During a joint press conference with Deputy Premier Lorna Smith on Monday, Premier Wheatley was asked whether the government would intervene in the matter after BVIHSA Chairman Potter announced he would not step down as requested by the Health Minister.
The Premier responded that he would not make any statements that might influence the Cabinet’s decisions but explained that there are circumstances under which a board member may be removed.
He noted that the previous BVIHSA chairman, Moleto Smith, was removed under similar circumstances.
“I wouldn’t want to preempt any decision the Cabinet might make,” the Premier said.
“I can say, ironically, that same Health Services Authority board, when the member for the Eighth District became a Health Minister, there was a gentleman by the name of Moleto Smith who was the chair of that board and through the decision of the Eighth District member, who was also the Health Minister, Moleto Smith was removed,” Dr Wheatley explained.
“I’m just saying that there is precedent in recent history for the removal of the Chair of the Health Services Authority Board before their term comes to completion,” he added.
In April 2023, the government removed Moleto Smith as Chairman of the BVIHSA and appointed Ron Potter in his place. Potter’s term as chairman is scheduled to last three years.
What the law says
Although the reason for not allowing Smith to complete his three-year term, which was set to end in July 2024, was not immediately clear, the Cabinet indicated at the time that his removal was “in accordance with Schedule 1 3(1) of the BVI Health Services Authority Act 2004.”
This section of the legislation allows the Minister of Health to remove a board member if the minister is satisfied that the member has been absent from three consecutive meetings without consent, has become disqualified, is unable or unfit to discharge their duties, or is in breach of any conditions imposed upon their appointment.
The Premier cited this instance as precedent for the potential removal of the current BVIHSA chairman.
Health Minister Wheatley’s request for Potter’s resignation follows public backlash over perceived poor healthcare services in the territory. Potter issued a press release over the weekend, stating that the Health Minister asked him to resign via WhatsApp.
Potter defended his record and decision to remain as chairman, asserting that any removal must comply with legal guidelines set by the BVIHSA Act 2004. He emphasized that no grounds for removal exist in this case and reiterated his commitment to improving healthcare services in the BVI.
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The Premier is playing with fire here. The removal of the last Chairman was based on him being absent from consecutive board meetings and the Act is clear on that. The current Minister does not have any reason for Mr. Potter to resign except for political nonsense. They are playing with the right one that’s all I can say.
I am in agreement.
The record would show that the previous Chairman never missed a board meeting. He was removed because the VIP Health Minister, now deceased, selected him. His removal was illegal. It did not comply with the law in any way.
Let’s see how the is works out.
I looked at the Premier with total disdain as he tried to equate the move by Hon. Wheatley to that of Hon. Marlon Penn when he was Health Minister. The two situations are completely different yet he sat there with a straight face talking about precedent was set. Why would any government appoint a board member, worst year a Chairman of an institution such as the BVI Healh Services Authority, who does not live in the BVI? Marlon was absolutely correct in getting rid of that Chairman because that was nonsense. And as for Hon. Vincent who spoke briefly at the press conference, he clearly has no shame whatsoever. Here he is trying to fire the Chairman, who has a stellar record of accomplishments under his belt and don’t need that job. He is trying to fire him while complaining that they do not have enough board members because nobody is applying under the new rules. Doesn’t this say something to the VIP Government? If nobody is applying to sit on the boards it means THEY DO NOT WANT TO WORK WITH AN INEPT GOVERNMENT! You are short a few members but you want to fire a qualified person because you cannot get your way.
Let government take back health services , a simple way to fit it
Bye, bye, bye baby. Don’t let the door smack you where the good lord split you on the way out. This man was the wrong fit from the get go nothing but pipe dreams and antagonism. Wykyk.
Went to * dental clinic for a very simple procedure that took under 5 minutes, what was written up was three procedures to be billed to the NHI. No wonder he doesn’t want to resign, this is a honeypot.