Bermuda - because hospital by-laws do not recognise her training.

Dr. Wendy Woods completed residency training in obstetrics and gynaecology in America last year.

But her visa meant she had to return home without completing a final oral exam to become board certified. That final qualification can only be passed in the US once the candidate has completed two years practice. Had she trained in the UK or Canada, Dr. Woods would not be required to take the second examination.

Dr. Woods then sat the written paper in Canada but failed, so she still could not get board certified status.

But she claims that because the US written exam which she passed was of the same standard as the Canadian equivalent, she should be regarded as qualified.

The former Berkeley Institute pupil returned home when she was told by health bosses that she could practise on the Island to gain the necessary experience to take the final exam in the US.

But now a hospital committee has retracted the offer because she does not have the final qualification.

Dr. Woods said: "I think the hospital committee is being very blinkered -- I've been pulling my hair out over the stress this has caused.

"I was hoping to start work on Monday. I've had to get a bank loan, find premises and buy equipment and now they tell me I can't practise. You could say I was a bit surprised.

"The committee is being very inflexible. A lot of my colleagues in America who did the same training as me are now practising. I don't think they'd be allowed to do that if they were not qualified.

"I have worked and struggled for many years and I am well trained in my field. As a Bermudian who wishes to provide a service to my country, I would hope that I would at least be given the chance to realise my goal.'' The case has caused uproar in the medical community and many doctors are now urging for a change in hospital regulations.

General practitioner and PLP MP Dr. Ewart Brown blamed hospital bureaucrats for failing to get the rules changed.

"It would take a couple of weeks for them to make an amendment,'' said Dr.

Brown who made Dr. Woods' case public in the House of Assembly on Wednesday night.

"The thing is we already have such a shortage of gynaecologists on the Island and Dr. Woods, because she is so recently qualified, represents the most recent advances in that field.

"Our hospital by-laws that govern medical privileges are archaic and fail to take into account the fact that a number of Bermudians attend institutions in the US.

"In America, Dr. Woods could practise in any state because she is board eligible.

"But the King Edward Hospital doesn't take that into account. In America she would be able to practise until she was ready to take the final set of exams.

Then she would be board qualified.

"The stupid thing is her training exceeds that of somebody from the UK. She's a more experienced surgeon than if she had trained there.'' Acting Health Minister Quinton Edness defended the hospital committee's decision but said he would be meeting with Dr. Woods to discuss the situation.

"The hospital board has very good reason for taking its position,'' he said.

"I have had discussions with them tonight and they are trying to find a way to help her.''