Kim Wilson, the Minister for Health, sidestepped questions on ambulance availability due to having to focus resources on LF Wade International Airport.

Asked about the situation, which has prompted frontline emergency workers and health advocates to warn it could lead to a loss of life, Ms Wilson said the Cabinet was regularly assessing the situation.

The comments came after the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Association has stated that concentrating resources on the airport means reduced emergency availability elsewhere.

The Bermuda Hospitals Board said emergency call-outs would be extended because of the restructuring measures.

The BHB said the changes would increase the number of hospital ambulance call-outs by up to 25 per cent, adding that it was expected this would result in longer wait times.

Asked twice if the ambulance situation was acceptable, Ms Wilson told a press conference on Monday: “Those are matters that are being discussed on a regular basis with the Cabinet because we recognise that there were certain provisions that were made as it relates to the number of ambulances that have to be required at the airport.

“If it’s … for example, category nine, when there are bigger planes that are coming in from BA, there’s a requirement for more fire service personnel to be there at that time to maintain our international standards so that we can continue with airport operations.

“However, we also recognise that the benefits associated with having island-wide ambulance services are critically important.

“And, these are matters that are being discussed and weighed into so that we can address those expeditiously to ensure public safety, and that, I can say, is of paramount consideration and importance to the Government of Bermuda.”

Asked if the answer was to put more resources into the ambulance service outside the airport, Ms Wilson said that was a matter for Michael Weeks, the Minister for National Security.

She said: “The Government is committed to ensuring that we have island-wide ambulance services so that the safety, preservation and protection of all our residents is first and paramount.”

The Government has stated that Mr Weeks has been involved in talks with the BFRA over the issue.

Mark Selley, a patients rights campaigner, branded the shake-up a “crime”.

The head of the Bermuda Health Care Advocacy Group echoed warnings by the BFRA that lives could be put at risk as a result of the changes.