Bermuda Hospitals Board turned round a massive deficit to finish the last financial year $6 million in profit.

This compares well to last year?s loss of $3.5 million.

Both King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and St. Brendan?s Hospital finished the year in the black.

Making the announcement in the House of Assembly on Friday, Health Minister Patrice Minors said the main reasons for the turnaround were increased use of outpatient services and strong financial leadership.

Mrs Minors said: ?The Bermuda Hospitals Board must generate income to meet Bermuda?s expectations for excellence in patient care.

?This result will allow our hospitals to invest in their employees, equipment, new services, technology and physical infrastructure.?

She said BHB got its cash from service fees, Government grants and donations.

The move to profit had been helped by refinancing of eight percent bonds into bonds at 4.5 percent and continued cost containment, said Mrs. Minors.

She said the financial improvement would help upgrades and the plan to eventually replace the hospital.