Fatal healthcare delay sparks BVIHSA emergency protocol review
The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) is reviewing its emergency response procedures and other functions following the recent death of Revovion Sprauve, also known as ‘Bucky’ in the community.
According to a BVIHSA press release on Monday, September 2, Sprauve visited the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic in Virgin Gorda on August 31, seeking medical care outside the clinic’s newly adjusted hours due to Tropical Storm Ernesto which smashed into the territory last month. Sprauve passed away before he could receive attention.
The BVIHSA said it is currently gathering additional information, including speaking with individuals from the Ninth District, to understand the full circumstances surrounding the incident. The BVIHSA said it acknowledges the importance of accessibility and has noted that reduced hours and emergency contact information were widely publicised.
24-hour operations resume
Following the incident, the clinic has resumed its 24-hour service as of September 2. It is unclear if this change was prompted by the recent events.
“The BVIHSA is conducting an evaluation of our clinic hours, emergency response procedures, and communication strategies to better serve our community,” the Authority stated.
The BVIHSA has extended its condolences to Sprauve’s friends and family and has requested privacy for the deceased man’s family during this time.
The Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic had resumed operations on August 29 with revised daily hours from 7 am to 7 pm, though some services remained limited. The clinic had previously closed temporarily on August 16 due to low voltage issues caused by TS Ernesto, which required repairs.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Accessible, quality, and affordable healthcare must be the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) #1, numero uno, priority. Inarguably, healthcare is costly. Nevertheless, the VI must effectively manage its resources to deliver the best healthcare to the most people..The outlying islands have always been at the end of the line in receipt of proper healthcare services..It was through the grace of God that many residents survive; some didn’t. I can go further with a painful example but I will leave that, for what is done cannot be undone. In an emergency health situation Seconds matter and immediate, urgent attention is needed.
Moreover, it may not be practical to station a full time physician on the major outlying islands. Nevertheless, the Government, Ministry of health, etc., must look at alternatives, ie, physician assistant(PA), Nurse practitioner, etc. Secondly, , Helo services are needed to transport/medivac residents requiring critical/urgent care to the D. Orlando Smith Hospital. Third, staff and equip a marine ambulance. Fourth, staff and equip ambulances so that basic care can be provided on way to hospital. Fifth, look at decentralizing the positioning of ambulances. Sixth, each fire unit should be staffed with either a paramedic or EMT. Mr Sprauve rest easy!!
To E. Leonard, good suggestions on medical staffing but where will the PAs, NPs, helicopter pilots, etc., come from. It is an ambitious plan, workable in developed countries with the resources and large population. I like the suggestions though. You raise my curiosity with statement though: “ I can go further with a painful example but I will leave that, for what is done cannot be undone.” Sounds like something which hit close to home and heart. I think I know the situation but that is up to you tell it if you do desire. It could be a teachable moment which can benefit the community, especially the outlying islands.
painful example woutl be Bermuda debt of about $3.3billion with a population less than double that of the BVI and the BVI debt is only $113million roughly 10% of our GDP while Bermuda runs into the 40% so instead of hogging all the money for a rainy day wake up its pouring and spend money on the infrstructure of the country while the FS is still providing the billions in revenue it does
if them vote for Vincent what they expect???? and they will vote for VIP again. Don’t know what wrong with them…
VI at its best, reactive rather than proactive.
The BVI is a third world country.
That Iris O neal clinic is like a monkey with lipstick. Looks good on the outside but staff is incompetent, and they don’t care.
E. Leonard made some good suggestions. A country that cannot provide accessible, quality and affordable healthcare coverage is doomed.
Education, Health, Infrastructure, these are the key areas that countries need to have in place.
Quality healthcare is fundamental to the well-being of any nation. It ensures that individuals receive the care they need to lead healthy and productive lives. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), quality health services should be effective, safe, people-centered, timely, equitable, integrated, and efficient1. These principles are essential for achieving universal health coverage and improving health outcomes.
Why can we in 2024, not make this a number one priority? Where is the money being spent?
@Me,,indeed, Leonard, made some basic, important, doable and attainable suggestions. It is surprising that they are not already in place. Can someone tell me if Healthcare is not the #1priority , what is ? We always yap that people are the most important resource, but we don’t treat them as if they are..
Among the diaspora enclave,,the consensus is that the BVI, our home, is for the young healthy people. That is sad.,Government must work diligently to change that view. It is sad that Mr. Sprauve didn’t get the emergency care needed which may have saved his life. That is gross negligence. Who, if anyone, is going to get discipline and held responsible and accountable for this gross negligence? We have to do better .
AKA – LIE&nerdilll , you are a false prophet , you will fit in the 3 wannabe holt boyz of the cloth who has a way with sweet words , but all have something in common (it’s called selective ) and we have to add the wigged one e to that list of ” the devil’s deciples “/ the dude with his PITBULLS needs their ballz so he can bar-B-Q them for those lover of human Ballz
@@E. Leonar, seem that you are strarving for attention..I think you are a gag. Where in Leonard post, did he commit blasphemy or made any prophesy. You are getting to be a nuisance now, contributing nothing. Leonard can defend himself but he is ignoring you and hav been. Get a life.
The family of the deceased have a good cause to file a lawsuit. The man lost his life due to negligence and incompetence. If I lived on VG I would be scared s..tless if I am in need of medical assistance.
Perhaps the family do have cause to file a lawsuit. I’m begging you all on VG to do what is right and don’t let them get away with what has occurred. The poor man died like a dog trying to get medical help. This could have been anyone. I totally agree, if I were living on VG I would be paranoid if I get sick and need medical assistance.
The money is probably being stored in Guyana, Asia,and other countries where it it is locked away
incognito with a number for a name.
Think those trips were just for the travel? keep thinking, while your country go broke and HAITI.
They, led by the head man, went in with a self enrichment plan. Some,maybe one, said so with his own mouth and words.
The head was cut off, but the second in command, a major formulator of the plan rose to the top.
There from,all noticed the reckless and conspicuous spending. Most thought it was just that, but was it? Te details are in the Bills, The greedy Bill, The Fishers and Farmer, The others, you know of them.
And now we are all seeing the fish scalses hit the fan, with a no confidence call on the reckless non-productive spending government.
the WHO is owned by Bill gates the pharmaceutical companies is governed him and people like him , human beings are at the mercy of them , who is creating medication with all kinds of side effects to alter you mibmnd / your body and take you out when one of many side effects take control of your body / the food we eat is full of GMO think about it or do your own research . Mr E LIONERD is a punk
just like wigo the Waco, who keeps hollering out free the WEED like it is going to save US from the colonialist slave masters who he labeled as the devils who wants to take over his land
Voting has consequenses.I listened to Vincent on radio yesterday .One question was asked DO feel comfortable in yout post as.HEALTH MINISTER? Vincent ,the HSA,the entire BVI GOVT.has my good friend blood on their hands.Remember we have five reps.to look out for us but you cant hear peep from non.We have issues with a non functional
Clinic now blaming Ernesto/generator.People of VG you vote for Vincent/VIP so take what you got.The whole BVI IS F**K UP TO THIS GOVT.OF TODAY.I can’t bring my friend back but hearing the story I’ll be angry for a long time
“voting has consequences”
The at large reps, including the opposition leader and Mather for all intents and purposes are invisible.
I just don’t understand why,Mr.”E.Leonard”,that physicians can’t be permanently stationed in Virgin Gorda!
An area of a landmass, with such a vibrant tourist economy, why, I think, there should be at least 3 of these medical professionals!
Are you saying, Mr.”E. Leonard”, that placing physicians on Virgin Gorda, would be too expensive?
There can be no price point, in the saving of the lives, of our people, and the means, in which to do so!
Our priorities here, in this country are all wrong..
Healthcare, healthcare, and even more healthcare!
My God, what are we waiting for?
Get it together, already!
I was so damn disappointed and disgusted when I heard Larry the lobster on Tola Radio yesterday. Larry the lobster need to do the right thing and step down. He have no Damm cause with the Health Minister Portfolio. Russian Roulette with people’s lives. No kind of medical knowledge or experience and holding Health Minister Portfolio? Whose bright idea was this?
To the people of Virgin Gorda, please ask Vincent to step down.
VG should be ashame not only is Vincent the rept.be is also over BVI HEALTH.SERVICES can’t tell his ass from his elbow in this area.VG you got what you voted for.
It is time for this I grow up with he, he is fam, his last name, who he belongs to, give he another chance and so on. How can you people on VG allow this to go on. You guys can’t see how serious this is? If any of you have a medical emergency by the time they get you over to Tortola you are damn near half dead or dead. Think very hard about that.
They are playing Russian Roulette with peoples lives on the Island when it comes to health care. You go to a medical facility for help and you drop dead how is that possible in the year 2024. How is it possible in the year 2024 an open burning garbage dump blowing toxic smoke and toxic fumes in the air probably the cause of so many people dying from cancer on the Island. Use some of the money that is being used on unnecessary parties, first class plane tickets and expensive hotels and pay for an air quality test and start correcting/fixing the problem the correct way. I hate to admit to it but we are indeed living in a Third World Country.
Came up with the name Larry the Lobster, you sure ain’t lying. lol.
I was absolutely shocked when I learned of Bucky’s death and the absence of anyone at the clinic or the so called mini hospital to assist him. My heart breaks for Bucky and his entire family. It could be any one of us living on VG or any of the outer islands. Complete negligence on the health service of the BVI.
Any solutions will, no doubt, cost quite a bit of money and where does that money come from ? Just so frustrated that nothing seems to change and if it does it gets worse.
Law suit
listen if yall dont start busting some lawsuit in this government.
we paying to tax to be treated like a 3rd world citizen.
bust some lawsuit in them for poor medical facilities
bust some class action lawsuit for these poor roads
bust some lawsuit in them for everything that our tax money pays for.
when them realize that the lawsuit costing them money and affecting their self enrichment then they will try to fix these things
if this was other places like USA and other African countries people would be rioting the same day!
this literally cause the a death and this ain the first nor last. Dont forget that during lockdown someone tried to get medical attention in Tortola for covid and died after being refused. if vg need more workers train the youths from school or just finished school! get them into a course that guarantees them a job in these vacant and important areas! instead you have 14yrs olds with AK 47!!
this is absolute madness we as people putting up with.
these are matters our government should be solving and discussing not no independence and uk this and that.
if yall think this is normal now wait until these crook politicians get independence it will be pure chaos and you will suffer while they continue to grow and protect their circle
and you have thaat joke of minister in vg i dont even know what to say anymore. this is pure craziness we paying in tax for.
God forbid that was my family bcuz i not letting that slide!!
Bvihsa does hire at all?