Board.

Dr. R. Delmont Simmons has started the action against the Bermuda Hospitals Board and Dr. William R. Cooke, in his capacity as Chief of Staff.

The action is believed to have been taken because of Dr. Simmons' dissatisfaction with a decision by the board to reprimand him following a complaint that he verbally abused a nurse.

The Australian nurse, Miss Joanne Uttley, left the country some time ago to return home via England. She had worked at the King Edward Memorial Hospital for two years.

Miss Uttley is believed to have complained to the Human Rights Commission late last year that Dr. Simmons was rude to her in front of a hospital patient.

But the board's medical staff committee also investigated the case and came to their decision, with which Dr. Simmons did not agree.

A spokesperson at Dr. Simmons' office yesterday refused to comment on the reason for the writ.

And executive director of the board, Mr. Hume Martin said he could not make a statement. In fact, Mr. Martin said he had not heard of the action yesterday.

The matter is being handled by Dr. Simmons' lawyers, Milligan-Whyte and Smith, of Church Street, Hamilton.