Bermudians will be trained to take over key health positions as part of a string of tasks undertaken by newly-appointed consultants.

American firm Kurron — which has been drafted in to help Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) — will also be expected to improve the way health staff are recruited and retained, Acting Health Minister Philip Perinchief told the Senate yesterday.

Mr. Perinchief said Kurron would help develop "innovative and practical approaches" to support hospital management.

One of their duties, he said, would be to help: "Identify, train, mentor and develop Bermudians to take over key positions in the organisation."

Another is to: "Demonstrate strong leadership in the field of human resources, engage and involve staff and build stronger support for the recruitment and retention of a motivated and qualified workforce."

Meanwhile, Kurron will also be required to agree a financial strategy with BHB that ensures financial viability while maintaining and improving King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in the run-up to the building of the new hospital.

Earlier this week, Government was attacked for appointing Kurron, which Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson claims is run by a close friend of Premier Ewart Brown.

It has also been alleged the firm donated at least $10,000 to the Tourism Helps Everybody Foundation, set up by Dr. Brown's wife Wanda.

Yesterday, Mr. Perinchief described the bidding process for the five-year contract, stating that six groups were initially approached over the matter, three of which submitted written proposals.

Formal presentations were then made to a selection panel comprising representatives from the Ministry of Health and BHB.

A report was then made to BHB, and a further one to Mr. Perinchief, before Cabinet selected Kurron at a meeting on Tuesday, May 8.

Government has not named the two companies which submitted failed bids. The Minister yesterday described them as "highly regarded companies that specialised in areas such as organisational change, and clinical and academic excellence".

Explaining the need to bring in consultants, he added: "Our new Chief Executive Officer (David Hill) has made a good start and this management support will allow him to not only focus on the day-to-day operations of our hospitals but also to assist the ongoing plans for our new acute care hospital."