LAST week I discussed the debacle that was the decision to put the njw hospital on the Botanical Gardens site. Bad move! However, I must give the Government and Bermuda Hospitals Board credit. At least they now seem to be showing signs they are willing to reconsider the decision and are investigating the possibility of building on the existing site. Now, I told them this for free last week, and I'm not even an expert on such matters. One has to wonder what people in charge of such large entities think. Perhaps, they don't think! Well, we'll look into this matter in more detail after we visit theTop 20.

Holding at number one isfrom the reigning Queen and King of Hip Hop, Beyonce and her rapper/producer beau Jay-Z. You gotta check out this hit because it kicks big time.

On the way up at number two is Sean Paul featuring Keyshia Cole, with one of the new breed of dancehall/hip hop combinations. Tumbling faster than a speeding bullet to number three is by Ne-Yo, one of the hottest new male vocalists in the business.

Improving to number four is the new one from Janet (Jackson) & Nelly, entitled . Janet looks hot these days and I'm really happy to see her back in the spotlight with a hot track.

Up to number five is by Young Dro featuring T.I. Slipping all the way to number six is Nelly Furtado and Timbaland, with their hit single. I think this was one of the hottest and most creatively produced and conceived hip hop/pop songs of 2006. The combination of these two artists was guaranteed to generate infinite crossover appeal; and it didn't disappoint. Everybody loves it.

Down to the number seven spot is by the talented new cutie Cassie. Slipping slowly to number eight is by Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean.

Now some new tracks. Up to number nine is by Chingy featuring Tyrese. Up to number 10 is by Lyfe Jennings. Soaring to number 11 is by Young Joc featuring Brandy, Ms B Hambrick.

Climbing to number 12 is , from Ludacris and Pharrell. Life can be really cool. I was flossing in my car the other day, listening to this one on Power 95 (yes, they play good music too) and there was a person in another car who was obviously playing the same station and also singing the words. I could read their lips, which was very cool and gave me an understanding of how deaf people receive oral communications.

Slipping to number 13 is by Destra, which has loads of energy and is good for any party. Tumbling to number 14 is , a soca anthem by Shurwayne Winchester.

Tumbling to number 15 is by Explainer, which tells a funny story Slipping to number 16 is by Machel Montano featuring Patrice Roberts.

Now, as fall is fast approaching, it is time for some banging new music, starting with this week's essential new joint, , by Justin Timberlake, which enters at number 17. This song is off the hook, I mean banging. It is very cleverly produced, has a slammin' beat, cool, catchy vocals and really fills up a dancefloor. Speaking of which, the new hotspot in Bermuda is The Deep on Sunday nights. The place is awash with cuties and DJ Kaos, Bermuda's recently crowned top DJ (at a recent DJ competition), always plays an inspiring selection of hits. You all have to hear this brother mix; he is crazy good. Go ahead keep jumping, Kaos. So, see you at The Deep next Sunday night.

Falling to number 18 is by Allison Hinds featuring Machelle Montano. Down to number19 is by Letoya. Falling to number19 but still very popular is by Yung Joc. And rounding things out at number 20 is Beyonce with her new hit . Stand by, this one is gonna dash up the charts really soon.

Now back to this week's word ? the investigation, albeit belated, of building our new hospital on the site of the existing one.

Well, I criticised the powers that be last week; so I am now dutybound to praise their decision to reconsider and look seriously at the option of building on the existing site. I was chatting with a Doctor buddy of mine the other day who agreed with me (and what seems like 80 percent of the other local residents) that the Botanical Gardens option was just crazy from the get-go.

He cited the examples of many hospitals in other countries which last for hundreds of years one the same sites, serving much larger populations while still providing a high standard of health care (in some instances higher than what is provided here). He then asked why we need to have a bigger hospital if our population isn't increasing. I suppose I could counter that people are living longer, meaning there are more people to service, but I digress ? this doesn't help his argument.

In any event, the point here is that we have to question whether we really need a new hospital. Couldn't we just renovate the existing one? Isn't it already big enough? What is the real reason for such extensive renovations and additions? Is it because people want bigger, plush offices? Do we really need bigger labs or could we make the existing space more efficient through modern technology?

All these questions ought to be answered before we embark on such a large project, which, no offense, already sounds like another ProActive-type accident waiting to happen.

Don't get me wrong; I have no hate for ProActive. The principals are either people I know or relatives; but let's be real - these brothers were set up to fail, in some cases by their own people. How ridiculous is that? It is so ridiculous that when the truth comes out, a lot of people are going to be shocked at what really happened at my Berkeley Institute's new campus. But, again, I digress. Back to the hospital.

I'm all for a first class hospital, but I'm wondering whether some of that money wouldn't be better spent on educating Bermudians to work there. For instance, what makes a good hospital? Is it having the best equipment or having the best people? Or is it both? I think its both. However, it looks like all we'll have is the best equipment but not many highly qualified Bermudian staff.

Let there be no doubt: in Bermuda, I am for Bermudians first and we have to start with providing educational opportunities and encouragement for Bermudians to pursue studies in medicine. Not everybody can be a doctor; but there are a ton of other jobs needed to effectively and efficiently run a hospital.

Therefore, we must have programmes in place to train Bermudians to get off the walls on which many of them are sitting, and get educated. There are many opportunities and we just don't take advantage of them.

Anyway, it is encouraging that the debate about the location of our new hospital rages on. But, we have to look at all the issues and answer all the aforementioned questions before we put up an eyesore or monument that isn't properly conceived or designed to really meet the needs of this community today and over the next 50 years. The ever popular topic of Sustainable Development ought to rear its head in the discussions on our new hospital.

Peace ?