Ambitious plans were unveiled yesterday for the revamping of the Island?s hospital care, including the creation of three clinics spread throughout the Island to ease pressure on a central emergency department.

And both the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) and the Mid-Atantic Wellness Institute (MWI) are coming to the end of their lives and will have to be replaced in eight years time it is was revealed.

At a Press conference at the Cathedral Hall in Hamilton, the Bermuda Hospitals Board announced the conclusions of a ?comprehensive review? of all medical facilities in Bermuda which began in November 2003 ? conducted in collaboration with overseas experts and consultants ? which will now form the basis of the BHB?s highly anticipated Estate Master Plan.

With Chief Medical Officer John Cann looking on, architectural consultant Ron McIntyre said both of the main hospital sites, King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) and the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI) are old and will soon need to be replaced altogether.

?They?ve served you well, but they are 40 years old,? Mr. McIntyre said during his presentation, adding, that 85 percent of the equipment at KEMH will also need to be replaced within the next six years, while an even greater percentage will need replacing at MWI.

The BHB?s future plans include ?the development of three campuses of care and an acute care hospital that meets the community?s current and future healthcare needs,? according to an official Press release.

Located in as yet undetermined sites in eastern, central and western locations, the ?campuses of care? will reportedly make health care more accessible to all residents as well as ensure that all areas have emergency services in the event of a natural disaster.

The new acute care hospital is to be centrally located and in close proximity to other emergency facilities such as Police and Fire Services.

?You only have one (hospital); it needs to be centrally located ? you need to get everyone to that location,? said Mr. McIntyre.

At the present time it was revealed, there are several possible locations being considered for the large-scale remodelling project, including among others the Arboretum, the Botanical Gardens as well as the present KEMH site.

As all sites have strengths and weaknesses that must be considered, the BHB is seeking feedback from the community which can be given online at www.bermudahospitals.bm or by calling 239-2104.

Other improvements to be made are in areas such as parking, more advanced technology, further education initiatives and a concerted campaign to encourage locals to adopt a career in the health care profession.

Further conclusions highlighted by the review include:

Greater provision of continuing care beds to become a high priority to relieve severe pressure on bed space.

The KEMH Emergency Department should not be used, as is increasingly happening, as a centre for the treatment of relatively minor ailments.

Much greater emphasis needs to be placed on preventative and wellness programmes to improve the community?s general health and place less stress on medical services in the long run.

?There will be a lot of information in the press but I think it is important for people to come along and hear for themselves,? said Jonathan Brewin, Chairman of the BHB.

A further two meetings to which the public are invited take place tonight at the Ebenezer Methodist Church Hall in St.George?s as well as tomorrow at the St. James? Church Hall in Sandys at 7p.m.