Local cable company Hardell and the Bermuda Hospitals Board are set for a showdown in court over the hospitals decision to choose another television service provider. The company gave notice of the suit this week, naming the Health Minister as well as the Hospitals Board as respondents.

Representing Hardell is Juris Law chambers.

Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) has put out to tender plans for a 20 channel television service but Hardell which had been working to establish the service for months before the relationship between the two soured insists that an enforceable contract exists.

The company was asked to quit the hospital job during the summer and filed suit in August alleging breach of contract.

That action is still in progress and the new action is seeking judicial review of the Hospital Board's decision to put the contract out to tender.

King Edward VII Memorial Hospital chief executive officer Stephanie Reid has gone on the record to deny that a contract existed with Hardell and that the company had made no progress in providing the service.

Patients at the hospital have been without television since late last year because of a dispute between Hardell and Bermuda CableVision.

Hardell spokesman Corey Butterfield said in June his company approached CableVision in October, 2001 to use its services and was quoted a price.

However, according to Mr. Butterfield, CableVision changed its mind last December and said `we cannot sell to resellers'.

The company, he said, then said it wanted to provide the hospital with the service directly.

Mrs. Reid said in July: "There is no contract at this point in time (with Hardell). We have been waiting for the TV service from Hardell for quite some time and we have not made any progress.

"No, they did not have a contract. The hospital has a responsibility to its patients and they have been enquiring about the TV service for quite some time now and the hospital has to look at fulfilling its obligations."

A recent BHB advert stated the hospital is seeking a "licensed telecommunications company" to provide a minimum of 20 channels, an on-demand movie service, interactive games, internet services, and an automated billing service for patients.

The advert states the successful company must provide details on how it will maintain and service the system.

Hospital authorities could not be reached before presstime last night.