under control.

His call came as the Senate passed the Bermuda Hospitals Board (Hospital Fees) Amendment Regulations 1997 which increase fees by five percent -- effective from April 1.

Dr. Hughes said: "We expect to see hospital fees increase but it is worrying that the increase is above inflation.'' Over the last five years, said Dr. Hughes, fees had risen by more than 50 percent and over the last two years the grant had risen 16 percent.

"You are talking big money. I do not envy those struggling to contain hospital costs, but we must find some way to get them under control,'' he said.

The Regulations were the first of a raft of legislation affecting the hospitals that Senators passed yesterday.

The Hospital Insurance (Standard Premium) Regulations 1997, which establish the premium payable for standard benefit insurance, was passed, as was the Hospital Insurance (Deductions) Amendment Regulations 1997 which gives employers authority to deduct insurance premiums from wages.

Also passed was the Bermuda Hospitals Board Amendment Act 1997 -- which clarifies the fact that the Board has authority to borrow money.

It also corrects an anomaly where the transfer of land for King Edward VII Memorial Hospital's new wing from Works and Engineering was not official.