A health watchdog has made an apparent u-turn and will no longer be making its minutes available to the public.

Last year the Bermuda Health Council (BHeC) began publishing its monthly minutes on its website detailing discussions in meetings.

Long before The Royal Gazette's A Right to Know Campaign — Giving People Power campaign and in a move to ensure accountability in the council, according to the former chairman Dr. Michael Bradshaw the group decided to give the public access to their minutes.

In January, this year, Health Minister Nelson Bascome replaced Dr. Bradshaw one year before his scheduled departure with Linda Merritt, the PLP's Secretary General.

At the same time, Mr. Bascome also changed the composition of the council removing all but three of the former members to replace them with 'stakeholders' or members of other boards.

When her chairmanship was announced, Ms. Merritt confirmed she would continue the practice of publishing the council's minutes.

Changing her position, however, Ms. Merritt announced yesterday that the council decided to stop that practice.

"At present the council members have agreed not to continue this practice. Thank you. Chairman." she replied in an e-mail.

When asked why the council had decided to stop she said a statement would be released — though at the time of press none had been received.

The last update was of a Council meeting held in May last year where the group denies any role in suggesting the management consultants — Kurron Shares of America — to the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB).

In the minutes it states under a headline 'Any Other Business': "Members were advised that the Council did not have any direct involvement in or information about the selection of Kurron Shares of America Inc. as management consultants to BHB in preference to Johns Hopkins International."

Since this update, 14 months ago other topics that could have been included in the meetings — if they were held — could include the closure of the former indigent clinic at the KEMH a year ago. (for further topics see side panel).

Last night the Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson said this was all disappointing and represented a step backwards in the Island's healthcare community.

She said: "I am disappointed that the minutes are not available to the public. This was a very forward transparent message from a leading organisation.

"It was one of the most transparent of the boards that Bermuda had allowing the public to understand what they were doing. And not only was there a change in the chairmanship of the organisation but also the make-up.

"Then they close down the avenue of information particularly at this time when health care is such an issue in our country. It's all a bit worrying."