Chief medical staff are hoping that a new pathologist will arrive on the Island in January to begin a three-year contract.

Chief of staff at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital Dr. June Hill said yesterday that the job had been offered to a very experienced pathologist from Britain and she had committed to the post.

However, Dr. Hill said she did not wish to give away too many details until the new examiner had arrived.

"We do have a permanent pathologist coming in January," said Dr. Hill

"I hesitate to mention her name right now, but we do have someone who has committed to us. She is very experienced. She has an excellent CV and I think everyone will be very happy with her.

"I'm a very cautious person and until I see her in place, I would not comment further."

Dr. Hill said the pathologist designate was not a forensic pathologist, like the former Dr. John Obafunwa who left before completing his contract earlier this year, but said it was not essential in Bermuda, and, in fact, a rarity.

Having Dr. Obafunwa's forensic experience had been an unusual luxury.

She said pathologists in Bermuda were mostly needed to diagnose disease and carry out autopsies, among other things.

But Dr. Hill said in the meantime, the hospital was doing fine until a permanent examiner arrived.

"We are filling the position, at the moment, with locums. Right now it is Dr. Regina Leitao.

"We are doing fine. I check with the lab on a regular basis and things are moving along nicely. There is no problem."