Minister to a public debate on a plan to bring in foreign medical specialists.

He threw out the challenge after the Hon. Quinton Edness denied Government had blocked a plan that would cut down on the necessity for people to travel overseas for treatment.

Dr. Brown, an adopted PLP candidate in Mr. Edness' Warwick West constituency, last week told those at a St. George's Rotary meeting the country would save hundreds of thousands of dollars by stopping the exodus of patients seeking care abroad.

"We believe that rather than sit by paralysed watching hundreds of Bermudians going abroad to see medical specialists, we would bring the specialists to the people,'' he said.

And he claimed that doctors, the hospital, and insurance companies agreed with the idea.

But, he said, Government blocked it and "put their own personal and political agendas before the public good''.

Mr. Edness, however, said Dr. Brown was "incorrect''.

He said Government took its lead and guidance from the medical profession.

"The Medical Society and its members wish from time to time to bring consultants in,'' he said. "The Government has no objection to bringing consultants here.'' But, he said, he had a responsibility to protect the public and to make sure any practices were carried out properly.

And, he added, Government had never had a request from doctors, the hospital or insurance companies to allow an abundance of consultants to come in on a medical basis.

Responding to Mr. Edness' remarks, Dr. Brown said: "I'm impressed with Mr.

Edness' response to issues that I did not raise.

"But I think Bermudians will be happy to hear his response to issues I did raise.

"He says that I'm incorrect, but not what I'm incorrect about.'' Dr. Brown said the public had the right to hear Mr. Edness address his claims directly.

"I did not intend for this issue to become a political one,'' the Medical Director of Bermuda Healthcare Services said. "All I wanted was to save Bermudians from the cost of travelling overseas for care and to make sure that Bermudians were getting the best quality care.''