An outside company is being brought in to help run Bermuda’s hospitals.

Hospitals chief David Hill says specialist assistance is needed to oversee the rebuilding of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) and a number of other imminent key projects.

Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson last night attacked the move, claiming too much cash and time had already been spent bringing in overseas teams to carry out a string of reviews of healthcare on the Island. Fears have also been raised that the new company would threaten existing positions — but Mr. Hill yesterday assured staff no redundancies were planned.

Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) approached five potential firms earlier this month, with the preferred option to be unveiled in May following interviews from a selection panel.

Officials yesterday said the decision to bring in external help came after recent reviews of the future of healthcare. They refused to name the companies in the running or the amount the move will cost.

“Following a status review, it was felt external management support would help existing BHB management and staff in their goal to improve services, modernise patient care and move towards building a new hospital,” said a statement.

“This search reflects the significant projects currently being undertaken by BHB beyond its normal remit of delivering healthcare services to the Bermuda community.

“The additional managerial support will enable BHB to draw on a pool of highly experienced healthcare specialists during this demanding time.”

As well as rebuilding KEMH and the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute (MAWI), ongoing projects include maintaining and improving ageing facilities and equipment. Mr. Hill said: “At this time, as we face a larger than normal agenda, it was felt our management would benefit from additional support.”

Acting Health Minister Dale Butler said: “The pressures on BHB at the moment are immense.

“We believe it is in Bermuda’s best interests to provide additional, specialised healthcare management support to the hospitals now rather than waiting and hoping these multiple pressures to not impact the service provided to our people in the months and years to come.”

Mrs. Jackson pointed to a succession of outside assistance the hospital has called on in recent years.

These include:

-In 2003, Kurron Shares, of America, carried out a $450,000 review of Bermuda’s hospitals, recommending 200 specific and detailed recommendations for improvements.

-In 2005, Cannon Design, also of America, developed an estate master plan for the future of hospitals, concluding that KEMH and MAWI were approaching the end of their natural lives.

-In November last year, Government announced a formal partnership had been formed with Kurron, which was commissioned to ensure its 2003 recommendations were being implemented.

-Last month, Johns Hopkins Medicine International, of Baltimore, launched a $200,000 three-month review of the Island’s healthcare needs ahead of the rebuilding of KEMH.

Mrs. Jackson said: “This country has been paying millions of dollars for consultants to come here. They have done report after report and we seldom see the results. Then we roll over a couple of years and they are back again to get another report.

“Now they have to go and find another company to come in and help. I can’t see the need. I would like to know what they are going to bring to the table and how much it is going to cost.”

Asked about the cost of the project and which companies were vying for the role — including speculation that Kurron Shares could be lined up — a BHB spokeswoman said: “BHB is extremely mindful of cost and each company’s financial bid will be evaluated by the panel as part of the selection process. This will ensure the best value is achieved.

“Although there has been speculation on who is competing, it would be unfair and unprofessional to identify which companies are or are not involved. Once a company is selected that company will be announced. However, they are all highly qualified in their fields.”

In a letter to staff, Mr. Hill addressed fears over threats to jobs.

“I would like to stress up front, following concerns raised, that there are no planned redundancies. You will know that our problem is actually recruiting people, not reducing numbers,” he said.

Bermuda Public Services Union leader Ed Ball said he was monitoring the situation.