Echoing the concerns raised by the attending physician at the Medical Clinic, Minister of Health Michael Scott yesterday encouraged patients to visit the clinic before it closes.

The Medical Clinic was scheduled to close on Friday, almost seven months after it was announced in Premier Ewart Brown's Throne speech.

However, yesterday Mr. Scott acknowledged that not all of the patients had been transferred to a private physician so the clinic would remain open for an extra two weeks.

He said: "While the Medical Clinic is due to officially close at month's end, the clinic will continue to provide clinical services for a further two weeks to ensure that all patients are reassigned.

"I am pleased with the process that was being followed in reassigning patients to private physicians and I encourage any patients who have not yet been placed with a physician ."

On June 15, Mr. Scott read out the names of the 23 physicians who will accept clinic patients and yesterday explained that the reassignment process means determining which patients wish to returto visit the Medical Clinic as soon as possible so that they too may be reassigned to a private physiciann to their original physician or opt for one on the list.

The Minister also explained that physicians will receive outlines for payment, the transfer of clients and contact information in case issues arise.

And in one last attempt to reach all of the patients, the Bermuda Hospitals Board(BHB) held a closed meeting at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital yesterday. It was led by attending physician, Dr. Stanley James, who answered questions from 27 patients and family members who attended.

Clinic patients, however, will now have two more weeks to have private consultations with Dr. James in order to find suitable doctors for their referral.

Mr. Scott added: "In line with the Throne Speech mandate, clients will be provided with basic healthcare therefore ensuring that the indigent are treated in the same manner as the rest of the community as it relates to healthcare.

"As a caring Government, I have been pleased with the commitment, dedication and initiative shown by the stakeholders concerned, especially the physician fraternity, the Bermuda Hospitals Board Director of Clinical Services and the Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary and Chief Medical Officer."