The Government expects new data this year will show an increase in the number of people leaving the island because they cannot afford the high cost of living.

Plans to stem the exodus of pensioners and end the shortage of hospital beds were sketched out during this week’s Chamber of Commerce Annual Budget Breakfast, presented by PwC.

This includes a path forward to solve the overstays at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital that have created a critical and acute shortage of hospital beds.

The Government has laid out plans to bolster care homes and also create a “step-down” facility to ensure that the people who are medically fit for discharge from the hospital have somewhere to go — measures that would relieve the backlog that has found hospital beds overrun by former patients, senior citizens without outside accommodation.

Part of the Government’s digital health strategy will include a form of “telemedicine”, involving what David Burt explained was “remote monitoring” for patients.

The Premier said nurses can check in with patients remotely, yet understand when someone needs a visit.

Responding to questions from the room, Mr Burt stated: “It is not appropriate for people who are medically fit for discharge [to take] up acute care beds, which is the most expensive place inside of the entire healthcare system.

“And if those persons can be moved to a different facility that is a step-down facility, that means it will reduce pressure and patient flow.

“We're going to have less waiting time in the emergency room, less crowding in the emergency room, etc.

“Also, there's expanded healthcare provision inside of our clinics to make sure that people have more places to go for non-acute things. You know, people stub their toe and go to the emergency room. It's not necessary.”

The Bermuda Hospitals Board has said that it has identified space in King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for 30 additional long-term care beds and has received funding in the Budget for the conversion.

Meanwhile, Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, said the Government will “close the data gap that exists” for population and jobs with the census this year. He also believes there is a need to understand the true numbers of people who are leaving the island for retirement abroad.

He told the group of executives: “The accurate population number will be calculated in the 2026 Census, and I ask every single one in this room to make sure you actively participate in that so we can close the data gap that exists.

“We will also get accurate emigration numbers. Emigration is something that is negatively impacting our economy. But emigration is something that is extremely natural.”

He said 150 people left annually in the ten years to 2010 and an average of 230 left in the six years to 2016. A study showed the cost of living as the major reason for their departure.

Mr Hayward said: “We will get the data in the next census as pertains to 2016 and 2026, but we expect that number to accelerate as well.”

He said that when he speaks to international business executives in terms of how they wish to expand, housing shortages are not their biggest concern.

“Most of their expansion targets are constrained by commercial real estate, above and beyond housing.

“Most would like to build up their offices and their offices are simply not big enough. Housing is a challenge. We do accept that. But the Ministry of Economy and Labour will work with companies to ensure that they get the talent that they require to carry out their operational effectiveness.”

He said there was a need to know the appropriate level of jobs in Bermuda, using old-age dependency ratios.

“Based off our senior population,” he said, “how many workers do we need in our population for a comfortable old-age dependency ratio?”

One of the strategic priority areas of the ministry’s economic development strategy is investing in people. The Government will work with companies to ensure that they get the talent that they require.

“We will be producing a full digital economy strategy,” he said, “one where we see inclusive economic growth and development.”

Mr Hayward said: “We want to ensure that we have an economy that can work in the future.”