The National Democratic Party administration today announced that it is going ahead with the proposed plans for the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre on Virgin Gorda.
The decision was made following a meeting held in Virgin Gorda on May 7 to gauge the residents’ responses to the preliminary drawings by architect Avaline Potter of AR Potter and Associates.
The Government Information Service, in a press release this morning, said health officials are now satisfied that residents are satisfied with the preliminary drawings.
“With a resounding satisfaction from the Virgin Gorda community, the Ministry of Health and Social Development is moving forward with its proposed plans for the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre,” the release said.
During the meeting on Virgin Gorda, Health Minister Ronnie Skelton gave the assurance that the new medical facility would be fully equipped to handle most medical situations that would arise.
He further stated that it would be equipped to stabilise patients for transportation to Tortola in urgent and emergency situations.
It is anticipated that the Emergency Room of the new Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre would be opened on a 24 hour basis, with medical staff on-call to handle emergency situations.
The Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre will be a phased development project which is estimated to take 18 to 24 months to complete.
Among other medical services to be provided are an ambulance bay, modern laboratory services, procedure and treatment rooms, and emergency rooms with state-of-the art equipment.
It is also anticipated that the services will be gradually expanded according to the needs of the community.
Residents have been assured that monies were already allocated in the budget to start moving forward once the community agreed on the plans presented.
