Just under two years ago, Government set up the Bermuda Health Council.

According to its website, the watchdog is designed to improve oversight of the healthcare system in order to ensure it meets the needs of the Island's residents, is efficient and cost-effective, and provides an appropriate mix of services that are affordable and accessible to all residents.

Health Minister Michael Scott's notes on the Saturday Group meeting of August 18 suggest its future is already being questioned.

"The Chairman of BHB sounds warning that everything BHB does at the Hospital must be funneled through the Health Council," state Mr. Scott's minutes.

"Even though the Minister decides. CEO gives example of the Request for Oncologist;

"Question can the Health Council be abandoned

"Next Question do we manage HeCo?

"Premier: leave to Minister to work on leadership of the HeCo and PS of Health to work on changes to legislation to repitch the statutory emphasis and authority of HeCo."

The Bermuda Hospitals Board insists Mr. Scott's notes are grossly inaccurate, not an official record of the meeting and should be considered 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.

In the watchdog's early days in January, 2006, chairman Michael Bradshaw said: "The object of the council is pulling everyone together and creating a quality health system that's efficient and effective. We are being given the opportunity to do something at this juncture in Bermuda."

Last week, when asked about the Bermuda Health Council's role for a story on an unrelated subject, Government gave this statement: "The Bermuda Health Council Act 2004 created a Health Council for Bermuda. Amongst the functions placed on the Council is that they exercise regulatory responsibility with respect to health services and to ensure that health services are provided to the highest standards.

"That said, the Bermuda Health Council became operational in January, 2006 and hired its first CEO in September, 2006. Amongst its first priorities was to establish its operations, hire staff and establish a base of operations.

"The Council has begun the process of establishing a regulatory regime for professionals and healthcare businesses. This process will lead to either amendments to present legislation or new legislation where deemed necessary. This process will involve extensive consultation with the healthcare community and will result in recommendations to the Minister of Health."