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Healthcare Advocacy Group repeats call for financial transparency

A patients’ group repeated its call for Bermuda Hospitals Board to share its salaries and bonuses with the public, following the release of its annual report.BHB saved $4 million by cutting down on contracts and consulting, according to its 2011 report which was made public by Health Minister Zane DeSilva last month.However, the Bermuda Healthcare Advocacy Group says it still wants to know how much has been handed out in bonuses to members of the publicly funded board.Chief of staff Donald Thomas, who Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson has claimed was being paid as much as $700,000 a year, was suspended with pay on July 12.BHB has refused to say why he was suspended and has said its salaries are not public information.In a statement, BHAG said it has received countless letters of complaints from people claiming they have experienced less than desirable medical care and attention.“Maybe if the hospital was more transparent with their financial affairs than public speculation would be held to a minimum,” said the statement.“Moreover, BHB annually receives funding from Government, but do not possess the business integrity in sharing with the public their salaries and bonuses.”The group urged people to sign its petition calling for a Commission of Inquiry into a number of concerns.“We feel this is the only way that Bermudians can truly have a voice into the affairs of healthcare and help to influence the kind of change we deserve,” it stated.