The long-awaited Bermuda Health Council was introduced to members of the media yesterday.

The Council is tasked with regulating, coordinating and enhancing the delivery of health services in Bermuda and will be chaired by Michael Bradshaw with Lucille Parker as deputy.

Other members of the group include Dr. Femi Bada, Jane Barnes, Antoinette Bolden, Dr. June Hill, Dr. Jewel Landy, Linda Merritt, Mark Selley, Sharol Simmons and Dr. Steven Trott.

Ex-officio members include Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Services, Kevin Monkman and Dr. John Cann.

Besides its primary duties, the Council will also be responsible for regulating the price of drugs sold to the public and conducting research on the subject of public health.

Each of the members bring skills and experience to the team including legal knowledge, medical technology knowledge, understanding of insurance, patient advocacy, hospital management understanding, customer focus, health care understanding, research and information management, human resource management, complimentary medicine and background in prevention.

Introducing the Council yesterday, Health and Family Services Minister, Patrice Minors said using their skills, the Council was prepared to address the challenges in health care in Bermuda.

She said it was important as a community to work in partnership to provide quality, available, accessible, and affordable healthcare to the people of Bermuda.

Mrs. Minors said: ?We must provide the right mix of and access to services to meet the health care needs of this community while managing cost to ensure that services are affordable for all of our residents.

?We must promote prevention and ensure that health promotion plays a more prominent role in maintaining the health of our population and in the daily activities of our citizens.?

She said decisions on health care must be made, not on anecdotal information, but on reliable data that is collected from all areas of the health care system.

This data will be analysed to detect trends and deficiencies in the health care system and to develop public policy.

?The Government?s pledge is that Bermuda should work for all of its residents and our health care system must work for all of the people including our seniors, our children and other vulnerable groups in this society,? she said.

Mrs. Minors added that her Ministry?s vision must include a plan that ensures adequate and equitable services for the Island?s ?at-risk population? with equal attention to physical and mental health.

Chairman Mr. Bradshaw said all stakeholders are asked to give input and assist the advancing of their mandate to determine and deliver the quality health services Bermuda is determined to provide to each and every resident.

He said they would be setting up communication systems so that everyone could be heard and hear from the Bermuda Health Council, adding that everyone was on call and asked them to be both collaborative and accountable.