Hospital officials refused to rule out job cuts last night -- seven weeks after condemning fears that nearly 30 posts could be axed.

Independent reports by Arthur Andersen and Monahan & Associates have recommended that the Bermuda Hospitals Board slashes millions from its spiralling budget.

In early March, it emerged that Monahan suggested 27.9 full-time salaries could be saved. But the hospital said any reorganisation would "open the door for new opportunities''.

Health chiefs have still not decided how many jobs might be lost in their proposed administrative shake-up called Programme Management.

And they have dismissed previous speculation about job cuts as "alarmist and sensational''.

But spokeswoman Kendaree Burgess-Fairn told The Royal Gazette last night: "We have given no notification of any redundancies because many of our people will be re-assigned to other jobs. Until all of those details are worked out, it's very difficult to say that `x' number of people will lose their jobs. No, we can't rule out redundancies. It's possible that some people will lose their jobs.

"But right now we do not know what or how many jobs -- or alternative provisions -- there will be. We can't put a final figure on it.'' It is understood the Programme Management process, being planned by the Bermuda Hospitals Board, would give departmental managers control over their own budgets and spending levels.

Edward Ball, General Secretary of the Bermuda Public Services Association, last night issued a fresh appeal for a meeting with the Board to make a progress check on the proposals.

In a memo to BPSA members, he said: "We have asked the BHB to delay the process, which they have done for two weeks. However, more time is needed for further discussions with a representative group of members and the BHB.

"There are other steps the union can take to ensure the membership concerns are raised, which we are not prepared to share at this time.

"The union is prepared to send three to four BPSA members from Nursing and Allied Health professionals overseas to a community hospital of comparable size, to see first-hand how the Programme Management concept is managed at that health care institution.'' Shakeup at hospital BPSA's research team is already shortlisting hospitals to visit in Canada and the US.

The BPSA, which has clauses allowing for a 30 to 60-day discussion period before any restructuring takes place, is trying to balance the wishes of members who take opposing views on Programme Management.

Some fear they could lose their jobs in the shake-up. Others view the efficiency drive as an opportunity for promotion.

But the hospital is still faced with solving the dilemma of cutting its $47 million salary bill -- with just $74 million coming into its coffers last year.

Two Joint Consultative Committee meetings -- designed to thrash out the latest restructuring plans -- were cancelled this month.

Now both the Board and the BPSA are bidding to get together in an organised forum to allay fears.

Ms Burgess-Fairn added: "There was a meeting scheduled for this past Monday but it didn't happen so we both need to fix a date to discuss the concepts formally.

"There was also a meeting on the 14th, which we postponed, but we are both working towards the same thing and it should not be difficult to get together.

"I think people are worried, there's no doubt about that.

"But very often there's a lot of miscommunication. I think our job right now is really to get the details out.'' She added that many staff were already being briefed on the restructuring proposals in internal meetings.