The organization stated that the 12-week programme, which began in September, enables graduates to provide care and support at home for the elderly, and persons suffering from chronic or terminal illnesses.

Graduates go on to work at medical facilities, and in private homes through the Social Development Department’s Elderly Care Programme.

Topics covered include Hygienic Needs of Patients, Bed Making, Infection Control, Nutrition, Psychology of Ageing, Vital Signs, Chronic Diseases and Emergency Conditions, and Death and Dying, among others. Participants were tested via a written assessment and evaluation of their practical skills.

The programme is facilitated by nurses with guest facilitators including nutritionists and physiotherapists. Nurse Suzette Williams, Nurse Cherry-Ann George-Smith and Nurse Jennifer Bertie served as facilitators to the recent cohort of graduates.

The graduation ceremony received over 30 attendees including Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Health & Social Development Mrs. Natalie Fahie-Smith, BVI Red Cross Patron Mrs. Millie Jaspert, Chairman of the BVI Red Cross Mr. Geoffrey Brooks, Director of the BVI Red Cross Ms. Stacy Lloyd along with family members of the graduates and other well wishers.

The Home Care Basics Programme was started in 1997 by three nurses, Rita Frett-Georges, Ruth Evans and Els Blok, whose vision for the programme was to “improve the quality of services provided to the elderly and sick in the community”. To date, the programme has graduates more than 300 caregivers since its inception.

The 2019 graduates are: Paula S. Hunter, Sheryl Henry, Jacinta Smith, Simone Lettsome-Nibbs, Yolande Sampson-Harper, Juliet Veronica Thomas, Sylvia Moses, Naltalee Harris, Tracy Dunstan, Shelly Ann-Marie Harley, Zynga Alana Bristol, Effie I. Peters, Debra M. Bell and Sandi Boyce.