Steps have been taken by the Bermuda Hospitals Board to strengthen leadership and address operational and financial challenges, the organisation said today.

In a statement, the BHB confirmed that a review was completed by UK specialist firm Acumentice, and the board was working with its executive team to move forward with recommendations.

The BHB added that the findings of the review will be made public “shortly”.

It said: “BHB entered 2026 with the appointment of a new board, a new chairman and a new policy direction from the Minister of Health, using her statutory authority under the Bermuda Hospitals Board Act 1970 to issue policy directions to the board.

“The board immediately acted to implement stronger governance and oversight, prudent financial and cashflow management, and operational improvements, with patient safety and clinical standards continuing to guide its decisions.”

The statement noted that at the start of the year, the BHB was tackling prolonged boarding in the emergency department and a “challenging financial and liquidity position” that had intensified over several years.

The BHB said: “The board acknowledges the concern these circumstances caused among our staff, patients and community.”

It explained that in response, the board sought to strengthen its oversight of hospital operations and financial performance.

The statement added: “There are encouraging signs of progress.

“Recently, the BHB has successfully completed its stroke re-accreditation with Accreditation Canada and has recorded significant improvements in Emergency Department boarding times.

“Moving forward, careful financial management will continue to be essential.”

It said that over the course of 2026, BHB had seen a number of executive transitions in critical areas, including in the roles of senior general counsel, chief financial officer, chief people officer and chief of staff.

The BHB said: “Interim or acting executives have been appointed to ensure there is a seamless handover and appropriate business continuity.

“Interim contractual appointments are an established practice in healthcare, locally and internationally.

“They provide leadership capacity and continuity while allowing the board to assess the organisation’s longer-term requirements.

“The board expects to fill positions substantively as the organisation achieves greater stability.”

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

The statement today said the board would not comment on “individual personal matters”, but praised the work of Judy Richardson, the chief of nursing, who has served as acting CEO for the past five months.

It added that while progress has been made, significant work still lies ahead.

The statement said: “Board members share the community’s personal connection to BHB through their own experiences and those of loved ones.

“BHB provides the island’s only acute care facility and we are all committed to seeing it be successful.

“The board remains focused on maintaining strong leadership, operational continuity and quality care, while supporting a stronger, more sustainable health system for Bermuda.”