Days before Health Minister Michael Scott's notes on a Saturday Group meeting were leaked to The Royal Gazette, Ombudsman Arlene Brock reported BHB members had expressed discomfort about political influence over the board.

Bermuda Hospitals Board CEO David Hill has denied any political interference — pointing to major board changes since Ms Brock began compiling her report and saying existing members feel they have the authority to perform their role.

Mr. Hill and BHB chairman and deputy Herman Tucker and Wendell Hollis were joined at the August 18 Saturday Group meeting by Premier Ewart Brown, Mr. Scott, Permanent Secretary Warren Jones, Corbett Price of Kurron Shares management consultants and Bank of Bermuda CEO and Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Trustchairman Philip Butterfield.

Many suggestions were made about how to take King Edward VII Memorial Hospital forward, and it is not always clear from Mr. Scott's notes who is supposed to have said what.

BHB describes Mr. Scott's notes as a grossly inaccurate and in some places wholly untrue account of the meeting — arguing they are a reflection of the Minister's private notes and personal thoughts. Mr. Scott describes them as his own personal notes and not an official record of the meeting.

According to the notes, Mr. Hill was the recipient of advice on at least two occasions.

In a reference to ward care, Mr. Scott's notes state: "The Nurse in Charge when confronted with problems ask the Question Alarmingly.

"What is the Problem with ward Care?

"The Meeting urged CEO Hill to remove this person who is resisting by making an example of her message of quality standards will go out to the hospital."

Referring to a department head who was described as "fantastic", Mr. Scott wrote: "Premier asked that CEO look to Find 9 Bermudians to put directly under (name withheld) so that there is knowledge transfer."

Ms Brock's 'A Tale of Two Hospitals' report, which concluded that race was a major divisive force at KEMH, stated: "Many white interviewees complain that the problems are really not about race, but rather about an insidious, growing, political interference with the BHB that seeps throughout the hospital."

In reference to a "powerful black doctor", she stated: "Many white interviewees believe that he is targeting the white power elite who it is widely believed (by blacks and whites) to have unfairly denied him entry into the profession in Bermuda years ago.

"There is no evidence that his keen interest in matters involving the hospital stems from such motives. On the other hand, some of the black interviewees suspect that work permit black doctors who are his friends may be targeted by the same white medical elite — not because they are black, but because of their association.

"That is, these doctors are little more than pawns or, more accurately, proxies in a battle between the old and new Bermudas."

Last week, when asked about political interference, Mr. Hill replied: "My view is there's no political interference. The board is operating well and effectively and it understands the clear distinction in the roles of management at the hospital board and the role of the Government."

However, he failed to directly rule out claims that BHB's recommendation of Johns Hopkins Medicine International for a $13.5 million management consultancy contract was overturned by Government, which appointed Kurron Shares instead earlier this year.

Responding to questions about why the meeting took place and allegations of political interference, BHB stated: "Everyone knows the hospital is dealing with some very serious issues. They are being articulated and tackled to ensure that the hospital is on a consistent path of progress.

"This meeting was one of many forums in which healthcare and the hospital was discussed. We meet regularly with both internal and external stakeholders and with Government.

"It should be noted that the hospital is answerable to the Minister and our roles are defined by legislation. A good and trusted relationship with the Ministry is important to the running of the hospital and this has been true since the Act was legislated in 1970.

"Working together with Government ensures a seamless healthcare system for the community. Involvement should not be confused with interference.

"This particular meeting was of appropriate healthcare stakeholders — very important when planning healthcare. It was confidential to ensure an open discussion could take place. Such honest discussions enable Government to understand fully what we are trying to achieve and trust us to make decisions on how to progress."

Responding to the same questions, Mr. Scott stated: "Under this administration, the Minister of Health meets regularly with the chairman and CEO of Bermuda Hospitals Board.

"The Bermuda Hospitals Act 1970 sets out that ultimately the board is responsible to the Minister. In this regard, we discuss the ongoing issues and initiatives underway at that institution. This neither amounts to nor portends any political influence, rather it represents good governance and the actioning of stratagems by the Minister to meet all challenges facing healthcare.

"Further, it represents the considerable progress that is being made to provide high quality healthcare at our hospitals, together with the Premier and Minister's commitment to support the BHB in this quest.

"The specific meeting to which you refer was a high-level meeting of healthcare stakeholders. It was highly confidential and therefore it is most inappropriate for me to comment on the discussion that took place."