equipment purchases until their concerns are met.

The Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda have informed Bermuda Hospitals Board executive director Sheila Manderson of the decision, said Board spokeswoman Kendaree Burgess-Fairn.

Auxiliary president Vivienne King reportedly told Mrs. Manderson: "Our decision is based upon our need to plan financially for the future renovations of the HAB space.'' The HAB's desire to expand and renovate its current operations, which include a coffee shop and a gift shop, is "the crux of the issue'', stressed Mrs.

Burgess-Fairn.

"The cost of the expansion and renovations are of particular concern to the HAB.

"In order to be able to meet financial obligations during the construction process, the HAB decided to wait until they had more information from the Hospitals Board on the projected costs of any renovations.'' Mrs. Burgess-Fairn said "many of our departments are also frustrated by a lack of space and the increasing need to expand''.

"With the advances in technology, the need for additional space to accommodate equipment is a continuous problem.'' In April, 1996 the HAB donated more than $250,000 to the BHB.

This went toward the purchase of equipment needed by the hospital including two ventilators for the neo-natal intensive care unit, a cardiac monitor for the maternity unit, a new dialysis machine, a breast pump, a hysterscope/resectoscope, an octome vetrectomy machine and photography equipment.

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