The future of King Edward Memorial VII Hospital?s part-time Director of Cardiology is up in the air after allegations that he has opened a rival medical company.

A Bermuda Hospitals Board spokeswoman confirmed that the board is currently in discussions with Dr. Shane Marshall about his part-time administrative post as Director of Cardiology. understands that the doctor has opened an ultrasound business that will compete with the hospital.

BHB communications manager Ana-Maria Critchley would not confirm that the discussions were related to his alleged involvement in another business.

Dr. Marshall could not be reached for comment by press time.

The business that Dr. Marshall has allegedly opened will allow residents to have heart ultrasounds ? known as echocardiograms ? done privately. Currently the hospital provides the service.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Dr. Marshall has brought an EchoCardio machine to the Island. The machine uses digital video technology that is compatible with current ultrasound equipment for heart ultrasounds.

Doctors use echocardiograms to obtain pictures of the heart beating, enabling them to accurately asses the direction of blood flow and velocity of blood and cardiac tissue. An echocardiogram enables cardiologists to assess cardiac valve areas and determine if there are any abnormalities in the heart.

Ed Ball, General Secretary of the Bermuda Public Service Union, said the union expects professionals at the hospital to meet ?high standards?.

?Professionals should respect that currently the Bermuda Hospital Board needs every dollar and that it is the only hospital in Bermuda,? he said.