Delivering her brief, Jeanne Atherden said the focus of the ministry remains with addressing the issue of obesity and diabetes, along with managing the ageing population.

Noting the reduction in the grant to the Bermuda Hospitals Board, she described the move as a “one-off”, explaining that the BHB would put off planned capital projects such as IT improvements.

However she said the budget reduction would not affect service, provided that the cut is not continued.

Ms Atherden also reiterated concerns about the overuse of diagnostic imagery, saying that a study had found that one third of CT scans in the US served “little or no purpose”, adding: “Bermuda’s rate of testing is even higher.”

She explained that guidelines intended to reduce the use of diagnostic imagery had been introduced.

And Ms Atherden said that more work was being carried out to keep those with chronic non-communicable diseases and seniors healthy and out of hospital in an effort to reduce the high cost of healthcare.

Kim Wilson meanwhile emphasised the importance of promoting healthy lifestyle choices to prevent obesity and lifestyle illnesses.

She suggested that Government consider implementing a sugar tax, which would both deter the public from over-consuming unhealthy foods and help fund health education, and to allow a greater variety of health insurance providers to help drive down costs.

Ms Wilson also suggested government look into allowing insurance to cover “recognised alternative and complementary medical services” and consider legislation requiring families who are capable of caring for their elderly relatives to do so.

“In 13 states in the US the state or the institution can sue the children and say they need to pay for this person’s care because they can afford it,” she said. “We should look at legislation that’s working in the US.

“Some may say it’s draconian, but it’s certainly something worth exploring.”