The “fiasco” over the Continuing Care Unit (CCU) could and should have been avoided, Opposition Senator Renee Ming Anderson said.Speaking in the motion to adjourn at yesterday’s Senate hearing, Sen Ming said: “We stress people, we stress employees, we stress families when we start to talk about in two years’ time this may happen, or one you may not have a job in two years’ time, or two you may have to find placement for a family member,” she said.Last week, Health Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin announced that the hospital’s CCU which provides long-term care to elderly patients was not “fit for purpose” and would have to be shut down.The news was welcomed by watchdog Bermuda Health Advocacy Group but caused anxiety among CCU staff and other stakeholders who had the impression that the closure was imminent.Sen Ming said that while there were later reasurrances about the impact of the move, stakeholder meetings should have been held first.“There should have been consultation with the employees, with the patients and with the families,” she said.“That’s the human side. It’s a conversation. Its communication.”Referring to a later reassurance from the Minister that the unit will not be shut down for at least another two years, Sen Ming said: “People are very wary of what two years really mean. We’ve had two years become two weeks.”Government Senator Lynn Woolridge responded by saying that there had been communication before the announcement and consultation continued.She noted that the Island’s challenges with its long-term care facilities had been known for some time.“It is not a great surprise that the CCU is not suitable and something needs to be changed at the hospital.”