medical care overseas.

It is feared the exodus may have been sparked by a lack of confidence in Bermuda's health care.

Health chiefs are now looking at ways of bolstering faith in King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

They are keen to halt the flight of patients and dollars to the United States where health costs can be crippling.

Bermuda's insurers are also said to be worried about rising costs.

And Government is concerned about the impact on the Country's balance of payments.

It is thought two highly-publicised inquests may be to blame for the crisis of confidence.

The verdicts from the inquests on comedian Ms Wendy Wilkinson, 34, and four-year-old Justin Fisher were the same.

It was ruled their deaths had been "aggravated by a lack of professional care''.

The hospital was urged by jurors to review its procedures.

Health chiefs have been keen to back the quality of care available in Bermuda.

They believe it inevitable Bermuda's health care comes under closer scrutiny than other jurisdictions.

This is because of the Island's isolation and size.

Earlier this month, they met to discuss ways of encouraging people to seek treatment here, when available.

The Bermuda Medical Society's meeting was attended by, among others, insurers and a representative from the Hospitals Board.

By a cruel irony the society's president Dr. John Stubbs was later flown off the Island to receive treatment for cancer in Boston.

The 60-year-old Paget East MP needed surgery to remove a tumour on his spinal chord.

But unlike many patients who go abroad, Dr. Stubbs' treatment could not be provided here.

From his hospital bed, Dr. Stubbs said: "I sincerely believe that the conduct of recent inquests, and the reporting of them, more than the events leading to them, has seriously eroded the confidence of the hospital within the community.

"What is more regrettable is that more and more people are leaving the Island for frivolous reasons, and getting caught up in the enormously expensive US health system for treatment for things that could be perfectly managed here.'' Dr. Stubbs said the object of the medical society's meetings was to "see how we can improve public confidence in the local facility.'' Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Cann admitted there was concern at the "flight of dollars'' overseas.

Dr. Cann, who did not attend the medical society's first meeting, said he believed it was important for the "whole spectrum'' of the Island's health care to be examined, if confidence was to be boosted.

Executive director of the Bermuda Hospitals Board, Mr. Hume Martin, said many out-patients were going overseas.

He added various sectors of the community, including the media, had a role in boosting confidence in the Island's health care.

Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness said the upsurge in numbers going to the States for treatment had occurred over the last two years.

Mr. Edness also admitted there seemed to be an unfortunate perception among people about the level of health care in Bermuda.