Sprauve sister slams gov’t response to Bucky’s death
The sister of Revovion “Bucky” Sprauve, who passed away on August 31 after reportedly being denied timely access to medical services in Virgin Gorda, has expressed her anger over the handling of the situation.
During a recent community meeting on the island, Ingrid Sprauve voiced her outrage over what she described as a lack of preparedness and accountability from the local health authorities and government.
Revovion, who had sought medical help outside the adjusted clinic hours due to Tropical Storm Ernesto, passed away without receiving any emergency assistance from the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic.
Ingrid questioned why it took a “tragic incident” for the government and the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) to address concerns regarding emergency healthcare on the sister island.
Permanent Secretary Tasha Bertie denied that it took a tragic incident for health authorities to stage a community meeting over health concerns in Virgin Gorda. Still, Ingrid interrupted her response, describing it as ‘baloney’. “Don’t come with that tonight, please,” Ingrid said.
“Why [hasn’t] anyone from the government made contact outside of the BVI health authorities?” she asked while questioning whether the government was more concerned about implementing the Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommendations.
Health Minister Vincent Wheatley, in response, stated: “In terms of government assistance to grieving families, through Social Development, we provide funding, and also through Social Security. Social Security at the moment, I think, is $3,000, and with Social Development, it is, I think, $2,500 max. This is usually handled through the funeral homes. They normally do a package for you.”
Wheatley said the government was hamstrung by the COI but explained that it was at the tail end of COI implementation and noted that there is money in the budget to address some of the healthcare concerns shared by Virgin Gorda residents.
“Don’t forget, I also live here, and this pain is real, as real for me as anybody else. It’s real. The plans we’ve had have been on the books for a while. In fact, the talk about healthcare has been around for a while, and I tell them, I’m not kicking this can down the road,” Wheatley said. “I’m going to take the bull by the horns.”
One of the critical issues highlighted was the clinic’s reduced operational hours and the unavailability of emergency contact numbers on display, but health officials said these issues have since been addressed.
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COI, COI, COI – that is their every excuse as to why nothing gets done, and that applies to nearly EVERY Department in Government! But specifically, to the Health, Education, Finance, and Natural Resources Ministries! All four are a joke, along with their Ministers, and their even more disgusting Permanent Secretaries!
I don’t doubt it is time consuming, but with your considerably bloated civil service you should be able to more than adequately handle matters.
Lastly, and very clear to all, is that even before the COI excuse, Government has never addressed, or ever intended to address matters of health, education, and infrastructure!
So, stop the $hit, and get things done! I’m telling you, we the people are sick and tired of this more so than ever! Never in all my years have I seen such poor excuses for elected officials! You all make me sick and angry!
DEM TREATING AYO ON THOSE OUTER ISLANDS LIKE GOATS ON A CAY
They are voting like goats too!
My dear, HIRE A GOOD ATTORNEY AND FILE A LAWSUIT. Ban all Government officials from attending your brother’s service. Do what you have to do
I agree, ban all Government officials. What are they showing up for? To be fake and act like they care?
I’m not worried about the sister, it’s the niece it’s who they need to watch out for. I knew Bucky very well and he always bragged about his favorite niece and I bet she’s running this show alongside her aunt. Do what y’all have to do!!
She need to take that same anger and bust some law suit in them backside
since they got money for party then got got money for law suit simple
All of the people on the panel, Minister and board of HCA need to do the honorable thing and step down. BVI is the only place where people do not resign due to proven incompetence. BVI who laugh and talk about other islands should be shame of themselves. We had better wake up and realise that good or bad health don’t care whether you red NDP, green VIP and blue PVM, it is there for politics and none politics so youall go ahead. Only when it hit home the noise get loud.
Potter, Wheatley, Samuel and all of you, let your resignations be the next headline on this news site
Yeh they did not represent themselves well at all. I was totally disappointed in their demeanor and responses.
The VIP supporters who have us in this mess are now the loudest. RIP to the man but voting has consequences. For decades they elected one man who was also Premier and they got NOTHING, but now they have the most to say. If that same man was around today they would never have the heart to hold this type of meeting. Too much f**king pretend outrage in this place!
Major law suit I repeat major law suit. The man family have a good cause to file a law suit.
Find a good lawyer! I am sure their are people who have had similar situations with the health care system that would come forward in support of your case.
Demand that the Health Minister step down. He already allegedly said on Tola Radio he took the Health Minister Portfolio because it was given to him. So is it ok for me to accept a position as a surgeon and I have no qualifications or medical training or knowledge as a surgeon? He should do the right thing and step down.
You hit the Nail on the Head. Decade after Decade they keep doing the same SH#T and expecting different Results. Most of the Complainers there at the Meeting will still do SH#T come next Election. Voting has consequences. I agree one of the conditions going forward should have been by Monday Morning the Resignation of the District Rep and Minister of Health. That would have been the Humane thing for him to do. Clearly He is not qualified to represent the people of the Ninth District. To be a suitable Representative of People, one must have Love and care for All the People and just a selected few. The sad thing is those same People who vote for them know who they are before they put themselves forward But they still Vote them in. The Ministers, The Elderly, Some of the same People who were there ranting Voted them in knowing full well it was a lost cause. I know the Minister is feeling this loss because Bucky was one of his staunch Supporters and he will miss his Vote But Hell, People of VG open your damn eyes. This Man is about position of Power not Health. The piece of Land outside the Hospital in Town, wasn’t that one of the issues He was questioned on at the COI? Does anyone know who really owns that piece of Land that was for a Helipad??? Things that make you go Hmmp!!!
From my understanding the clinic opened soon after 24/7 so it is something they had the ability to do all along.
Mmm! He went England today.
Imagine somebody had to die for us to realize the importance of clinics being open. Power getting shut off on them for non payment all kinda thing. Not too long ago we had to rant and rave for the police stations to be open every day. What happening to this place!? We not doing well. Richard Branson got to fall down on a bike or a tourist have to take a picture in a giant pot hole then you see them run go fix it. It seems like nobody got enough money to function properly. Yet still these man done give themselves raise and fat pension and full salary for 2 years after they done leave office and still up and down traveling the globe.
Not too long ago we had to rant and rave for the police stations to be open every day.
woah so many problem we move on to the next and forget all the incompetence round & round this goes beyond local government because they are not in charge of police.
Remember them saying the stations was opened all the time, how can a police lie like that. TO say they were always opened means he doenst know what is going on or lied.
I am disappointed in the Minister’s response!! The lady only said that nobody from the Government side has reached out to the Sprauve family! Obviously, she’s talking about offering their sympathies! I don’t see why he’s telling the lady about money!! Ridiculous! Didn’t he go on Tola Radio saying that he reached out to the family and that he was very good friends with Bucky? Lies, lies, lies! Some friend Mr. Wheatley is tho!