The former Minister of Health yesterday called on his successor to step in after a Bermudian was turned down for a top post at the hospital.

And Wayne Furbert said he was concerned that the Bermuda Hospitals Board's new chairman Raymonde Dill lacked the necessary management and leadership skills.

A succession plan for former King Edward VII Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer Sheila Manderson was in place under the last BHB, with a Bermudian woman lined up to fill her post.

That plan was dismissed by the new BHB and the woman was turned down for, reportedly, lacking acute care experience.

Mr. Furbert responded: "This is absolutely ludicrous. She does not need to know everything. They have advisors, medical directors and doctors who can keep the hospital CEO informed and answer any inquiries.'' Mr. Furbert, who served on the BHB for a number of years in the 1980s, revealed that the then-Immigration Board had stressed the need for a Bermudian to take the top post.

"That was how we came across Sheila Manderson,'' he explained.

And she was not fully qualified for the post, he pointed out.

"She did not have everything,'' he said. "You do not find utopian individuals for these posts, but they must have management ability and be able to provide leadership.'' And he pointed out that Mr. Dill had no experience with the hospital when he took the new post of chairman.

"He is an accountant like myself,'' he said.

Mr. Furbert also shed light on the original succession plan and successor for Mrs. Manderson.

"While I was the Health Minister I was informed of the succession plan the old Board had in place,'' he said.

"There were two Bermudian candidates being looked at. One was a female and I was aware that she had years of experience at the hospital -- it must have been over 20 years worth.

"She is very well liked at the hospital, which is a great asset from the beginning.

"With the respect of her colleagues she will be able to move ahead and get things done.'' And he issued a warning and a call to arms for Health Minister Nelson Bascome.

"It seems like there is no leadership being shown at board level,'' said Mr.

Furbert.

"It is important that the Minister step in and show the Board direction while determining what is going on there.'' He noted that Mr. Bascome could issue a directive to the Board, demanding that they find a Bermudian for the post and if Mr. Dill did not abide by this, then the Minister could select a new chairman.

And he said if the new Government was serious about Bermudianisation, then it would not select the Jamaican who Mr. Dill and deputy BHB chairman Ianthia Wade have flown to Jamaica to interview.

"For them to be going to Jamaica to interview this applicant makes it once again seem that all this Government wants to do is fly around the world on joy rides when there is work to do in this Country,'' Mr. Burgess said.

TRIBUTE TO TEACHERS ED Tribute to teachers Premier Jennifer Smith will pay tribute to Bermuda's teachers today when she reads a proclamation from the steps of City Hall.

The noonday event, staged to celebrate World Teachers Day, will also feature musical selections from school children.

Michael Charles, general secretary of the Bermuda Union of Teachers, and Education Minister Milton Scott will be in attendance.

SUDEEN DEATH OBT Sudden death The body of a 59-year-old man was found in a house on Dudley Hill in Paget yesterday. Police attended the scene around 2.30 p.m. and report that no suspicious circumstances have emerged.

A Police spokesperson said it appeared that the man had been dead for some time before he was found.