THE controversial closure of the Medical Clinic appears to have had little impact on the welfare of patients, initial reports suggest.

The clinic, which provided free healthcare to the poor and elderly, was shut down by Government in July. The surprise decision was announced in the Throne Speech last November, when Premier Ewart Brown declared that the specialist centre, housed at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, undermined the dignity of patients.

Instead, Government said it would ensure that clinic users were assigned a private physician of their choice.

But the announcement sparked uproar, with protesters marching on Parliament to demand that Government backtrack. Critics pointed out that the clinic was a convenient one-stop shop which provided excellent services for the poor.

They also claimed patients had not been consulted about the closure and many would simply not bother to seek treatment from the private sector. And they expressed concern that the hospital's Emergency Department could become flooded with clinic patients who found it too difficult to arrange an appontment with a private surgery.

Dr. Brown later said the switch would be more cost-effective, although patients would have to pay a $5 fee for each appointment.

This week officials claimed that, two months after the closure, early indications were that the transition was going ahead smoothly.

One hospital source pointed out that the majority of regular clinic patients had been assigned a private physician and initial reports suggested that patients were now using that option.

The source also pointed out that a hospital staff member had been tasked with ensuring that any new clinic patients arriving at the hospital for treatment were designated a private doctor.

A statement released yesterday by Government and the Bermuda Hospitals Board said: "A joint committee comprised of BHB staff members, representatives from the Ministry of Health and professionals from a variety of agencies within the community continue to assess the situation.

"The committee is pleased at this time with how the plan has progressed and continues to determine the effectiveness of initiatives that have been implemented.

"Further evaluation will be made at the end of the first six-month period. It is too early to assess the impact, if any, that former clinic patients are having on the Emergency Department. We will continue to monitor this situation, as well."