decision by Immigration to allow a foreign specialist in.

Sportsmen and women had feared Dr. Caroline Hammond's special medical centre would close because she could no longer cope with the workload alone.

She has not been able to find a qualified Bermudian assistant. And her hopes of getting one from overseas seemed doomed when the Bermuda Medical Society said local doctors could handle her overload.

But this week the 57-year-old specialist revealed her Sports Medical Centre had been reprieved.

"I've received permission from Immigration to seek and employ an assistant,'' she said.

"I'm delighted. They've put community need first and I think that's the right decision.

"I'm looking for the best specialist I can find. At the present time there's not a qualified Bermudian apart from myself, so I'll be looking overseas.

Hopefully I'll get one as soon as possible.'' British locum Dr. Annabel Carter, who has previously run the centre when Dr.

Hammond was on holiday, would be on a course until May.

"My assistant will be her if I don't find anyone as well qualified as she will be after her course.'' Dr. Hammond plans to semi-retire when she gets help at the centre. She paid tribute to Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness, who called on the Medical Society to rethink its ruling.