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Public release of hospital review is welcomed

News that a review of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital is to be made public has been welcomed by watchdog organisation the Bermuda Health Advocacy Group.

A health watchdog has welcomed news that a review of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital is to be made public.But the Bermuda Health Advocacy Group (BHAG) also expressed concerns that the document could be “watered down” — and also urged health chiefs to act on any recommendations made by the independent consultants.Yesterday Health and Seniors Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin announced that the Howard Associates’ ‘Corporate and Clinical and Governance Review For Bermuda Hospitals Board” will be tabled in the House of Assembly next Friday, May 17. An assessment of that report conducted by the Ombudsman will also be tabled.“This review is of great importance to the Bermuda Hospitals Board and the people of Bermuda. As such, it is appropriate that the report be made public through the House of Assembly,” Ms Gordon-Pamplin said.“The original terms of reference were that Howard Associates would do the work, and the Ombudsman would review their report and opine thereon.”Bermuda Hospitals Board Chairman Jonathan Brewin added: “ A lot of work has already started under the current Board, which first met in February 2013. Once the report is tabled in the House by the Minister we look forward to sharing the report and talking about the actions the Board is taking to ensure greater accountability and transparency in our hospitals.”A team from Canada-based Howard Associates arrived on the Island last November to conduct a five-month review of procedures at KEMH.Last night a spokesman for BHAG said: “This is good news. The public has a right to know about the standards of care at the Island’s only hospital.“However, we can only hope that the report that is made public is not a watered-down, sugar-coated and edited version of the real thing.“And it is also important that the board takes note of any recommendations made in the review. This is just the beginning, the start of a process to raise standards and improve care. If it is now just going to sit on a shelf gathering dust it’s a complete waste of time and money.”