Road Town, Tortola - The Government of the Virgin Islands, through the Ministry of Health and Social Development, has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the new Peebles Hospital is completed at the earliest possible date and to the highest and best safety and international standards.

Minister of Health and Social Development Honourable Dancia Penn, OBE, QC restated the Government’s position in light of the ongoing suspension of the mechanical, electrical, medical gas, plumbing, and fire safety (MEP) aspect of the works. However, she was categorical in stating that all other aspects of the construction works have not been suspended by the Government.

The Minister said that suspension of the MEP work became necessary following an independent study, which concluded that the MEP design drawings and specifications were generally consistent with industry standards, but raised serious concerns about the MEP installations, and their scope for compromising the overall integrity of the new hospital. The conclusion reached was that overall the quality of installation of the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and life safety systems are not at a level that would be expected for a hospital building.

The Minister added that the Government is continuing to focus on moving towards a resolution of the issues that were confirmed in a report from Arup USA Incorporated, which is a global firm of consulting engineers, designers, planners, and project managers.

The Government continues to work with the general contractors to develop a workable plan to address the defective works that were identified. “I wish to reassure the public that we are acting in the best interests of the people of the Territory, to ensure that Government delivers on its promise to provide a safe and healthy world class facility,” she noted.

The Minister said that the Ministry of Health and Social Development remains conscious of the fact that it is a hospital which is being built, and that by its very nature it must adhere to unique and challenging construction standards which are specific to the use as a hospital. “If we do not, the building could endanger the health and ultimately the lives of patients and staff in the future,” Honourable Penn said.

In January 2007 the Government of the British Virgin Islands signed a US$63.9 million contract with Mirsand-Carimex-Quantum for the construction of the new Peebles Hospital. Work on the project began in March 2007, and according to the contract was to be completed by September 2007.Government remains optimistic that the facility will be ready for commissioning in 2011, and recently entered into a contract with InterHealth Canada for this purpose.