The Opposition Minister of Health recently questioned the Government as to what policy was in place to vet, monitor or discipline the performance of doctors who have hospital privileges at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute.

A response tabled in the House of Assembly on Friday, was sent to Michael Dunkley from Health Minister Patrice Minors in which she explained that Section 26 of the Bermuda Hospitals Act 1970 gave authority to the Board to establish regulations, rules and policies to govern the professional conduct of doctors, to investigate allegations of misconduct as well as the disciplinary action that can be taken following a finding of misconduct.

?In keeping with this authority, the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) has in place strict regulations, rules and policies for vetting physicians,? she wrote.

Mrs. Minors said these include an initial vetting by the Bermuda Medical Council and the Board?s credentialing process for the granting of privileges at both hospitals, as well as for re-appointments. She said the process was spelt out in the document entitled Regulations, Rules and Policies of the Bermuda Hospitals Board 1977, which all Doctors who are either employed or granted privileges, agree (in writing) to comply with. Mrs. Minors said the Medical Staff Committee, chaired by the chief of staff, is accountable for ensuring compliance, but ?this document is currently being revised?.

As for as the monitoring process is concerned, she wrote to Mr. Dunkley that the chief of staff, who is currently full-time and highly experienced in medical administration, is responsible for the Board for the Medical Staff Organisation, the performance of the chiefs of department and for the supervision of clinical care provided to all patients at the Hospitals.

?Doctors, who are employed or privileged, are assigned to the department and are accountable to the chief of the department who is responsible for the ongoing monitoring of their performances and adherence to the regulations. This is spelled out in the chiefs? job description.?

Mrs. Minors said all doctors must engage in Continuing Medical Education (CME) and maintain their Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation status (CRP).

This, she said, was mandatory for renewal of Privileges, which can be after one or three years, depending on their appointment status ? associate or active staff.

?Morbidity and morality rounds are carried out at the hospital and a Peer Review process is being implemented at the hospitals, but will need to be supported by Non-Disclosure Legislation, which is being requested.?

?Additionally, the Board?s Quality Council, the Quality and Risk Department and Patient Safety Committee also play a role in monitoring performance of doctors, complaints, occurrences and near misses are monitored and reviewed,? she wrote.

?Physicians are registered to practice medicine and surgery under the Medical Practitioners Act 1950. The Bermuda Medical Council vets all applications for registration and determines whether applications are eligible for registration,? she wrote.

Mrs. Minors said the Council was authorised under the Act to investigate any allegations of disgraceful conduct in a professional respect on the part of a registered physician and to take disciplinary action where appropriate.

Mr. Dunkley asked what succession plan was in place to provide a smooth transition when senior staff positions became vacant within Bermuda?s hospitals.

?Succession planning continues to be a priority for the Bermuda Hospitals Board and an objective process for developing internal talent is now in place,? she wrote.

Mrs. Minors went on to say that Sage Mentors Inc. was engaged in 2004 to assist in implementing this process.