The campaign to tackle racism at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital has been so successful, Bermuda could be a model for the rest of the world, according to Ombudsman Arlene Brock.

Ms Brock says Bermuda Hospitals Board is moving swiftly to address all but one of the 15 recommendations in her damning 'A Tale Of Two Hospitals' report which highlighted a hospital environment plagued by racism in 2007.

Giving an update on progress in her 2008 annual report, the Ombudsman states: "Contrary to some fears, this report did not languish on a shelf.

"Although one person complained that the changes are not sufficient and another complained that the changes have gone too far, neither presented persuasive evidence of bad faith on the part of BHB.

"I remain heartened that the steps being taken will lead to enduring and substantial change in the culture of professional interdependence and collegiality at KEMH."

A new study by the National Health Service in the UK recently revealed black and minority ethnic staff are grossly under-represented among senior management but disproportionately involved in disciplinary, grievances, bullying and harassment cases and capability reviews.

Ms Brock states: "Bermuda has the potential to become a model."

In her 2007 report, the Ombudsman described racism as a major divisive force at the hospital, which she said was plagued by a climate of rumour, innuendo and conjecture.

Recommendations completed include a review of the Department of Anaesthesia and hiring of a BHB anaesthetist; review and rationalise its own structures and operations to strengthen its independence and leadership; clarify qualification equivalencies between different jurisdictions; designate a top level person to be trained in and carry out ongoing reports on race, gender and other issues.

The recommendation on which BHB's efforts were not accepted was that the hospital should augment its major clinical incident policy to ensure a clear, accessible and confidential procedure in a separate complaints department.

Progress is being made on all the other recommendations.