A new initiative to lure and retain medical staff to work within the health service in Bermuda has been unveiled by the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

Doctors, nurses and other medical professionals will no longer need to travel overseas to further their studies or careers because they can now learn online through a link up between the BHB and one of America?s oldest-established medical universities Drexel University in Philadelphia.

It has been acknowledged by Health Minister Patrice Minors and the hospital board that the Island is having difficulty attracting and keeping trained medical staff as a result of the world-wide shortage of nursing and healthcare staff, which has resulted in countries competing to lure such professionals with lucrative packages and training opportunities.

Bermuda?s answer is to collaborate with Drexel University to help staff earn degrees through on-line programmes.

Representatives from Drexel, an accredited, web-based institution of higher learning, are visiting the Island this week to conduct presentations and enrol interested employees.

The university is among the top 50 private, non-profit, national doctoral/research universities in the US, according to a Bermuda Hospital?s Board press release, opened the world?s first school of nursing and is the largest private medical college in the USA.

Announcing the initiative the hospital?s Director of Human Resources, Scott Pearman, said: ?The BHB is endeavouring to become a destination employer. When you speak to employees they are very interested in know that their employer is prepared to invest in their education and I think this a major statement not only to our employees but also to Bermuda, as well as where we recruit internationally, that the BHB highly values education.

?This partnership gives a great opportunity for our staff members to still have access to Bachelor?s degrees, Master?s degrees, programmes in nursing and other disciplines while still living and working on Island.

?When a member of staff decides that, in order to advance their career they need to pursue higher education, then they may have to make a choice between working or leaving the organisation and perhaps leaving the country. What we are doing is providing greater opportunity right here in Bermuda.?

As an added incentive BHB staff and their spouses will receive ten to 25 percent off regular tuition rates and may be eligible for tuition assistance through BHB and deferred payment plans through Drexel University. Kathy-Ann Lewis, KEMH?s director of Clinical Programmes, said: ?Not everyone is in a position to study abroad. With this flexible programme, individuals can attend a fully accredited university, obtain a degree and never leave home.?