Government should re-examine its decision to make the head of a new "watchdog" Bermuda Health Council the same man who oversees hospital services that will be under the eye of the newly created council.

Last night the appointment was branded a conflict of interest and a case of "the fox guarding the chickens".

But in a response to the concerns raised by the United Bermuda Party about Bermuda Hospitals Board chairman Anthony Richardson being made CEO of the new Health Council, Health Minister Patrice Minors has stated that Mr. Richardson would make himself absent from decisions of the BHB where there is felt to be a conflict of interest.

The doubling up of the influential roles has been questioned by the UBP's Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson after Government put Anthony Richardson into both seats of influence at the same time.

She said: "He should step down. The question arises, how would he censure himself?

"Health services need a mature, experienced, executive professional who will devote their total energies to the hospital and not be conflicted in anyway."

In a reply to the concerns, Health Minister Mrs. Minors said that with the continuing search for a new CEO of the BHB and development plans to replace the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in the pipeline, it was preferable to have Mr. Richardson continue in both roles for the time being.

She said: "Over the long term I will be evaluating the situation. My intention is to identify an individual who will step into the role (of chairman of the BHB), thereby providing a period of transition and ultimately a smooth handover."

Mrs. Minors said the BHB members would monitor any perceived conflict of interest and Mr. Richardson would make himself absent from decisions if it was felt there was a conflict.

UBP MP Mrs. Jackson said: "The Minister is admitting there is a conflict. My whole thing is that the hospital is in a terrible situation now. This is not a time to be in transition. The Health Council was put there to improve the condition of the hospitals."

She believes there are a wealth of suitably qualified Bermudians who could chair the Health Council without requiring the same person double up.