Bermuda Hospitals Board has launched an investigation into allegations from a patient who launched a scathing attack on the attitudes of staff at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Chairman Herman Tucker is calling for the complainant — a letter writer calling himself "Sickened, Warwick" — to get in touch with more details about his stay in the Emergency Department and Cooper Ward which left him infuriated.

In a letter published in The Royal Gazette last Thursday, Sickened claimed to have been put in an unventilated four-bed room reeking of stale urine in Cooper Ward.

Sickened attacked the staff's competence, the length of time spent waiting for treatment and the failure of nurses to respond to requests for help, even to patients suffering seizures or choking.

"I implore everyone to consider how terrifying it would be to lose control of your health; then imagine how your fear would be compounded in having no choice but to put yourself in the hands of incompetents you wouldn't trust with a pedicure," wrote the complainant.

Responding over the weekend, Mr. Tucker said in a statement: "As chairman of the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB), I was very concerned to read the letter from Sickened concerning a series of bad experiences in King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

"We often talk about being on a constant path of improvement at BHB. This is why we undertake Accreditation, have instituted an ongoing patient satisfaction survey and take all complaints extremely seriously. We do not just celebrate what we do well and our successes. We are constantly looking to improve by listening to patients and taking action when appropriate to resolve issues.

"The chief executive officer of BHB (David Hill) has initiated an investigation into the complaints outlined in the letter; however, it would assist our investigation greatly if Sickened could contact us directly."

Under BHB's official complaints process, Sickened can either contact director of quality and risk management Judy Richardson, Mr. Hill or Mr. Tucker (whose contact details are with this newspaper's editor).

Mr. Tucker continued: "Having exact details on when these events occurred would greatly facilitate our investigation.

"We do have many dedicated staff at BHB who strive to deliver professional, quality care to our patients and they are to be commended for their passion and commitment. However we also want to hear when the quality of our services does not meet a patient's expectations. By providing feedback directly, you can assist us to promptly address your concerns and improve in those areas which need attention."