Union officials are calling for swift action to rebuild King Edward VII Memorial Hospital after nearly $140 million was allocated to the Ministry of Health in yesterday?s budget.

That cash includes a grant to Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) to carry out an assessment of clinical needs on the Island and design work of the new-look hospital.

However, Bermuda Public Services Union says preparations ahead of the rebuilding have gone on too long, and urged officials to commence work as soon as possible.

Reacting to yesterday?s budget, General Secretary Ed Ball, a former biochemist, said: ?It?s all show, but we are no further continuing anything. The forward plan needs to be done and they need to get on with it.

?Each year delayed has an effect on an ageing institution.?

BHB chief executive David Hill said he was pleased Government had backed the programme and said the project could now be taken forward.

Mr. Hill said: ?We were pleased to see Government?s support for rebuilding the hospital, which is vital for us to modernise the delivery of healthcare services in Bermuda.

?The grant will enable us to advance the project and we will provide additional information for the community as we progress.

?We look forward to sharing a more detailed programme of projects and activities for the year in the coming weeks.?

Acting Health Minister Philip Perinchief yesterday confirmed an ?urgent care centre? would be built as an ancillary service to the main hospital.

Speaking at a press conference after the budget announcement, Mr. Perinchief said: ?There has been a great deal of discussion regarding the location of the new hospital.

?The Government has taken the decision to review the siting of the new hospital on its present site.

?In the year ahead, the Bermuda Hospitals Board will assess the clinical needs in Bermuda to determine the services that will be provided at a new hospital.

?Additionally, the Board will break ground on an urgent care centre to meet a need within our community for ancillary services to our main acute care hospital.?

Mr. Perinchief also reiterated that the KEMH?s Medical Centre, formerly called the Indigent Clinic, would close in spite of opposition from sections of the public.

He said: ?Although the name of that facility may have changed, it still serves those persons in our community who are considered indigent.

?The word indigent is translated in the dictionary as poor, needy, impoverished, poverty-stricken, penniless, destitute or impecunious.?

Mr. Perinchief said he planned to meet physicians in the near future to discuss how they could work together to ensure the needs of the clients are met.

This year?s $139 million health budget represents a seven percent rise on the $130 million from last year. Announcing the budget, Finance Minister Paula Cox said money would also go towards the Ministry?s Health Promotion Strategy and healthcare services for seniors.

The HIP prescription drug benefit for seniors will be increased from $1,150 per annum to $1,200 per annum from April.

?We are all concerned about the infamous doughnut hole ? the coverage gap in our prescription drug benefit that some of or seniors encounter during the year,? said Ms Cox.