A security guard at the Kind Edward VII Memorial Hospital was believed to be the target of a stick-wielding man who entered the Emergency Department foyer late on Tuesday night.

The intruder then led Police on a chase around the hospital grounds and onto Berry Hill Road before officers caught up.

Hospital officials yesterday downplayed the incident.

Executive director of the Hospitals Board Mrs. Sheila Manderson claimed it was "just an isolated incident'' since security measures had been put into place over two years ago following an attack on a doctor.

"Since the system was implemented it has been pretty good,'' she said.

She added that violence in hospitals was not unique to Bermuda and occurred in most emergency departments in hospitals around the world.

The hospital contacted Police at 11:20 p.m. after a 20-year-old Pembroke man entered the premises wielding a stick, Police spokesman Inspector Coghlin Gibbons said.

Police arrived as the man was walking away. On seeing the Police, the man ran to the old hospital parking lot and jumped on a bike.

Officers chased the man through the hospital grounds to Berry Hill Road where he came off his bike, Inspector Gibbons said.

He then ran off in a westerly direction and attempted to jump over a Police car.

He was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon and is expected to appear in Magistrates' Court soon.

Yesterday, Emergency Head of Department Dr. Edward Schultz admitted he had not yet received the full details of the incident.

But he added that since security had been tightened, the hospital had enjoyed a respite from violent incidents. "The security system seems to be working well,'' he said.

He added protective clothing for nurses and ambulance men working in high risk situations had been ordered but could not say when it would be available.