Bermuda Hospitals Board has appointed Michael Richmond as Chief of Staff after an “extensive local and international recruitment process”.

Dr Richmond, an anaesthetist with 25 years’ experience, joins BHB on a three-year contract and will lead the team of medical and support personnel.

“I know that developing a Strategic Plan for Clinic Services is currently under way and I am eager to get involved and share my expertise in this area,” Dr Richmond stated.

“I am looking forward to moving to Bermuda and working with the team at BHB.”

According to a BHB statement, Dr Richmond is originally from the UK and has performed 25,000 anaesthetic procedures.

The statement added that he “has a strong background in healthcare and hospital management and has worked extensively on major change programmes both in the UK and internationally”.

BHB CEO Venetta Symonds said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Dr Richmond to BHB as Chief of Staff.

“He has extensive experience in healthcare management, most recently in the dual role of Chief Medical Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Hamad Medical Corporation’s Women’s Hospital in Qatar.

“We look forward to learning from, and working with, Dr Richmond.”

Board chairman Peter Everson added: “We look forward to Dr Richmond joining the BHB Executive Team.

“He brings a wealth of experience that will help the team continue to develop the healthcare needs of our community.”

The statement added that Dr Richmond, who will take up the post in mid-August, will “be key in ensuring patient safety, sound clinical governance and building positive relations with the physician community”.

Dr Richmond replaces Keith Chiappa, who was in the interim position after Michael Wietekamp left in 2016.

The position is the most senior medical role at BHB and is responsible for the supervision of medical and dental care given to patients and residents.

The Chief of Staff reports to the CEO and is accountable to the Board and Ministry of Health.