"WE HAVE THE BASIS FOR A VERY POSITIVE STORY"

That is the comment Health Minister Michael Scott's minutes attribute to Bank of Bermuda CEO and Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Trust chairman Philip Butterfield during the Saturday Group meeting of August 18.

The quote comes two paragraphs after a snapshot of the hospital attributed to Bermuda Hospitals Board CEO David Hill, which points to poor clinical safety, shaky finances, lack of managerial process, wrong staff in the wrong places and no accountability.

Suggesting an attempt to portray a brighter future, the comment attributed to Mr. Butterfield is followed by one attributed to Premier Ewart Brown: "WHAT WE ARE CREATING NOW is the NEW HOSPITAL."

Mr. Scott's notes continue: "Board Chairman Tucker in 'SIX MONTHS REAL PROGRESS MADE'.

"PR

"The Story to be told is ? of heavy lifting remains but progress has been excellent."

In March this year, Johns Hopkins Medicine International arrived in Bermuda to carry out a $200,000 review of the Island's healthcare needs ahead of the rebuilding of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Its report has not been made public, although earlier this month Mr. Scott told The Royal Gazette thatJohns Hopkins had identified more than 100 hospital beds even though they didn't need acute care — something that has to be addressed to keep down the costs of the new building.

Mr. Scott's minutes on the Saturday Group meeting state: "Chairman Tucker, assessment of the Hopkins Assessment was that it was the Report could not be taken forward to the public domain."

Later, Mr. Scott's notes state: "Hopkins Report must be managed, it must be written so that it suits the Government and does not become a document that embarrasses GOB.

"The Hospital on Cannon assessment has only 5 years of life

"We can sustain this hospital for as long as we Need to is view of the CEO Hill."

On the rebuilding of the hospital, Mr. Scott's notes state: "Chairman Price ask when is the Time Line for the new Hospital

"Premier response is a stance where he does not feel nor does he wish to feel pressured to state time lines for the new hospital.

"Chairman Tucker proposed that as a public stance we say that Health Care System is the major project the FOCUS is what happens inside the hospital, concurrently the New Hospital is a priority.

"Needs Model is our goal so we know where we are.

"Then we can discuss the hospital piece."

BHB insists Mr. Scott's minutes are grossly inaccurate, not an official recording of the meeting, and are a reflection of the Minister's private notes and personal thoughts. Mr. Scott describes them as his personal notes and not an official record of the meeting.