A Paget man was arrested after he was allegedly caught sexually assaulting a mentally-challenged patient in King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH).

Police confirmed yesterday that a 42-year-old man was arrested on July 24 in relation to the incident. The man was released on bail and is to appear at Hamilton Police Station in two weeks to be formally charged, a Police spokesman said.

The alleged sex assault is understood to have taken place in the Continuing Care Unit.

Sources said there is some question whether the victim has the mental capacity to have given consent to the act freely. The patient is understood to be suffering from a degenerative ailment.

The Royal Gazette was told the man - believed to have been visiting another patient in the hospital - entered the victim's room and closed the door behind him on June 24.

As the door to the room is normally kept open at all times, its closure drew the attention of hospital staff who entered to find the man engaging in sexual intercourse with the patient.

Staff reported the incident to Police and the man was later arrested.

Attempts to contact Bermuda Hospital Board chairman Edward Saunders and KEMH Chief of Staff Dr. June Hill for comment last night were unsuccessful. But it is understood that meetings are underway to discuss improving patient security. Adding security cameras to patient rooms is one option under discussion.