Skelton Cline claims acting hospital CEO being pushed out
Commentator Claude Skelton Cline has alleged that the government’s actions are forcing the resignation of the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BVI Health Services Authority (HSA), Dr June Samuel, and has called for Cabinet to reverse course.
The talk show host questioned why Dr Samuel, who has acted in the post for four years, has not been confirmed despite applying for the position. He told listeners that the HSA board forwarded a recommendation, but the appointment was rejected by Cabinet.
“Here we go again with an outsider when we have qualified insiders,” Skelton Cline said on his Honestly Speaking programme yesterday.
He added, “Why is it that persons like Dr June Samuel, one of ours, who’ve acted now for some four years, why is it that you have not approved… one of our qualified persons to that post?”
He insisted that the issue was not about expatriate versus local leadership but about fairness and opportunity for qualified Virgin Islanders. “The debate is not expat versus local. That’s not the debate here,” he stated.
The commentator argued that residents only recently turned out in support of another local who was allegedly being pushed out of a top post in the police force.
“We went down here a few weeks ago. We marched for [Deputy] Commissioner Vanterpool over some of the same issues,” Skelton Cline said. “We rightfully called attention to the governor’s actions, but today I’m calling attention to our own action, something that we have control over.”
Skelton Cline alleged that the government’s actions were compelling her departure. “Your behaviour has forced, and is forcing the resignation of Dr Samuel, and y’all need to call her back,” he said.
In a recent interview on the Talking Points show, Dr Samuel questioned why she had remained in an acting capacity for four years and sought clarity on the process surrounding the substantive appointment.
During his programme, Skelton Cline said a new name had been sent forward for consideration and urged Cabinet to halt the process. “That name that’s coming before you needs to be sent back,” he said.
He added, “This gentleman, I’m sure he’s qualified… He hails from Trinidad. We got the guy over Trade. He’s from Trinidad. A good gentleman over the airport. He’s from St. Lucia. Now here we go again.”
“You can’t blame the UK this time,” he continued. “We’re the ones responsible. And I want to go on record to this government.”
BVI News has not been able to independently verify Skelton Cline’s claims up to the time of publication.
Copyright 2026 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
So Skeltin-Cline didn’t see the post on Dr.Samuel showing what the people thinks of her? I have never seen so many negative comments on one person. SHE HAS TO GO
I would hope the administration recognizes that there appear to be deliberate impediments within the HSA — whether at the board level or further down the administrative chain — that seem structurally resistant to implementing reforms that would allow the hospitals to function effectively and, by extension, reflect positively on the current government. If that resistance is real, it cannot be ignored. Mechanisms must exist to identify conduct that is intentionally obstructive and to remove individuals who are actively undermining institutional performance.
This is not about personalities; it is about governance. If bringing in professionals who can operate with objectivity and focus — regardless of origin — is what is required to move the system in a productive direction, then that is a conversation worth having. Health care is too critical a domain to be compromised by inertia, factionalism, or quiet sabotage.
So they are there to make the current government look good? Interesting take.
Main obstruction is inefficient and unqualified admin
Because she’s horrible
The entire management of the hospital needs an overhaul. She is probably his friend.
It’s only fair ..any one who acts for more than a year should be confirmed in the post and she been acting for more than 4 ,, wow, incredible. Only in the BVI ,,
If im acting in a post and within 6 months im not performing to the standard required, move me and done,, if you keep me for 4 years , you are telling me that im doing great ..
Put you all selfs in her shoes .. think about it.. as a matter of facts, I believe that she can fight it in Court.. CASE LAW….
Claude just talks because he has a mouth. He listens to a lot of gossip and go on radio to repeat it.
rather a trini than a whit.e person from the Europe/ UK
Dr. Samuels may be good at her specialty but she is NOT a good CEO! Having a degree in medicine does not make you a good CEO of a medical facility. You have to understand how to manage people and resources and clearly she has no clue. It does not matter where the person is from as long as we have competence and see an improvement in our healthcare offerings.
Hands down, she NEEDS to go!
I don’t know if Dr Samuel is a good or bad CEO but please don’t disrespect the woman. She is a very qualified and competent psychiatrist who has done a lot for the territory. As far as I know she is the only one on island and I and many others that I know have benefited from her care and compassion.
Some of you who are being disrespectful, be careful. You never know what lies down the road.
You just revealed that you don’t know anything yet here you are commenting. The territory has two psychiatrists.
Its funny how we are so quick to drag one of our own then bring in persons worst than her and sit quiet with our tails between our legs like the little slaves we were trained to be.
She deliberately destroyed that organization, doesn’t have financial discipline, that organization in chaos, can’t pay even electricity bills,she proved in 4 years that she can’t manage, should go, and save that organization
Deliberate is an understatement. Yes she has done tremendous damage to BVIHSA. There’s a lot of hatred and resentment in Dr. Samuel which consume her. It will take years to bring the HSA to any standard. She fixed it very good. Dr Samuel I am please asking you not to take up anymore position at BVIHSA. You do not deserve another penny of we taxpayers money. Please go away please. I wish if I could tell the ministry in person but I too fear victimization. Please go away. Have an ounce of decency and let people loved ones get better health care. You too might need healthcare one day so let’s fix it darling. Good over evil darling.
is so sad to see a certain demographics who has an avertion to any truths who will jump quickly to illustrate their dissatisfaction with a comment that shows a negative side about them. They are so childish with these comment it is laughable.