Doctors have attacked Government for snubbing world-renowned Johns Hopkins Medicine International’s bid to serve as management consultants to Bermuda Hospitals Board.

Last night, Premier Ewart Brown again faced accusations of cronyism following the awarding of the $13.5 million five-year contract to Kurron Shares — a lesser known firm allegedly run by one of his friends.

One prominent physician yesterday criticised Kurron’s 2004 report into Bermuda’s hospitals and suggested the group should not have been chosen for another key role in shaping the future of healthcare on the Island.

On the overlooking of Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins — widely considered to be one of the leading medical institutes in the US — the medic told The Royal Gazette yesterday: “It doesn’t make any sense. They had the perfect opportunity to get one of the most renowned hospitals in the world on board.

“It’s a shame. If you have the opportunity to raise everything up for the benefit of the patients, it seems stupid to me to not do that. Johns Hopkins is universally recognised and you should want to work with them. It’s good common sense.

“It’s like having Oxford or Cambridge University being turned down in favour of a group from Wales or somewhere.”

Three years ago, Kurron’s report highlighted a string of failings at BHB, including millions of wasted dollars, poor leadership and lapses threatening the safety of patients and staff. However, the doctor yesterday said the report suffered from a “lack of definable scientific methodology and principles, lack of clear evidenced-based conclusions and alarmist language with dubious conclusions”.

Kurron’s alleged links with the Premier were questioned last year by former Opposition United Bermuda Party leader Grant Gibbons, who claimed the firm donated at least $10,000 to the Tourism Helps Everybody Foundation, set up by Dr. Brown’s wife Wanda.

On Friday, Junior Health Minister Patrice Minors revealed Johns Hopkins and American-based Navigant Consulting had both unsuccessfully submitted tenders for the contract, which will include the overseeing of the rebuilding of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and the training of Bermudians to take over key health positions.

Asked in Parliamentary questions whether BHB had recommended Kurron for the job, Mrs. Minors replied: “The Bermuda Hospitals Board informed the Cabinet that the only organisation that met the full technical appraisal, financial appraisal and strict evaluation and scoring criteria was Kurron Shares of America.”

Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson, who posed the Parliamentary questions to Mrs. Minors, yesterday said she had been contacted by a number of doctors who were disappointed with the appointment of Kurron.

Mrs. Jackson said it was “impossible to believe” BHB had recommended Kurron.

“The selection of Kurron to act as consultants to the hospital for a period of five years to the tune of $13.5 million is one of the worst cases of cronyism I have known. From the outset this procedure was flawed and there are many questions unanswered.

“It’s impossible to believe that BHB did not unanimously vote for the number one hospital in the world, Johns Hopkins, and I want to hear from the hospitals board that this was not their first choice.

“Doctors have said, and I support their view, that the Kurron report was not satisfactory in 2003. So why are we getting them back now?”

On Johns Hopkins’ reputation, Mrs. Jackson said: “They are considered a global centre of excellence. Hundreds of Bermudians have travelled to Johns Hopkins for the most serious kinds of surgeries and medical care. My question is, who is Kurron? They are very minor league.”

Regarding Dr. Brown’s connections with Kurron, she added: “I know the man who runs it is a very good friend of the Premier.”

Dr. Brown faced accusations of cronyism from the Opposition earlier this month after Bermuda Emissions Control — run by the Premier’s cousin — won the sole contract for vehicles testing on the Island, worth an annual $1 million. Government argues BEC was the only company with the specialist equipment and facilities.

This newspaper contacted the Premier, the Ministry of Health, BHB and Kurron for a response at around 5 p.m. yesterday, but did not receive a comment by press time.

Earlier this month, Acting Health Minister Philip Perinchief defended the appointment of Kurron. In a statement in the Senate, Mr. Perinchief said six groups were initially approached, of which three submitted written proposals. Formal presentations were then made to a selection panel comprising representatives from the Ministry of Health and BHB, he said. Reports then went to BHB and to Mr. Perinchief, before Cabinet selected Kurron at a meeting on Tuesday, May 8.