An anaesthesiologist has been appointed as acting chief of staff at the Bermuda Hospitals Board and a former top civil servant has been made its chairman.

Richard Hammond, the chief of anaesthesia at BHB since 2009, became acting chief of staff in September, replacing Anna Neilson-Williams, according to the board’s website.

Derrick Binns, a former head of the civil service, joined the board as chairman last month, succeeding Collin Anderson, who is now deputy chairman.

The board has not released any information about why Dr Neilson-Williams is no longer chief of staff, the most senior medical position at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

She joined BHB in 2000 and served only briefly in the top position, from 2025 to 2026, after acting in the role from 2024.

She is also no longer BHB's director of continuing medical education, a role she held from 2014 to this year.

That part-time job is being advertised by the board, with a deadline of November 13 for applicants.

Dr Neilson-Williams remains chief of psychiatry.

Bermuda-born Dr Hammond is effectively now second-in-command at BHB, in a role that attracted an annual salary of $488,936 in 2019 when it was filled by British doctor Michael Richmond.

Only the chief executive and president earned more.

Dr Hammond is on a number of BHB committees, including the critical care committee, of which he is chairman.

He has been a fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists since 1999 and received the certificate of completion of specialist training in anaesthesia in 2001.

Dr Binns retired in 2023 as head of the public service, a role he held for five years after serving as Cabinet Secretary.

He was previously permanent secretary to various government ministries, including the Ministry of Health and Family Services, where he held responsibility for hospitals.

It was reported in June that the BHB’s chief executive and president, Scott Pearman, was on extended leave.

Judy Richardson, the chief of nursing, was acting chief executive in his absence.

The six-strong executive team also has an interim chief financial officer and interim chief people officer.

The Royal Gazette has asked the BHB for comment.