Friends of elderly philanthropist David Barber have claimed he suffered neglect while being treated at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

One concerned friend said that the 92-year-old, who has previously made huge donations to KEMH, was accommodated in a room which was in a ?deplorable? state.

Another said Mr. Barber fell and hurt himself while in the hospital, and lost personal effects including his hearing aid and slippers.

Mr. Barber, an ex-hotelier and businessman, is famed for his generosity which has seen him make major donations over the years including funding the cardiac diagnostic unit at KEMH through a $1 million gift to the Bermuda Heart Foundation.

Other donations, bestowed in memory of his late wife Mary, have gone to the Physical Abuse Centre, the Maritime Museum and local schools.

Last year alone he donated $2 million to buy Bermuda an air ambulance and $50,000 re-instate the International Race weekend.

However Mr. Barber has suffered ill-health in recent months and was admitted to hospital in September to be treated for an eye complaint and dehydration, remaining there for several weeks.

One friend, who asked not to be identified, said a VSB radio news report this week that Mr. Barber was in hospital as the result of a fall at home and was discharged just before Christmas was factually incorrect.

However, she confirmed reports of concerns surrounding his treatment up to the point where he was discharged around six weeks ago.

?While he was in hospital on Cooper Ward they didn?t pay attention to him. He has been in bad shape ever since and has had to have round-the-clock care. ?When he was first admitted he was put at the back of the ward and I guess they forgot about him. He fell and broke a couple of ribs and was full of bruises.

?They also lost his hearing aid and his slippers and friends had to go to the hospital to feed him because they didn?t do that. When someone complained about this he was moved closer to the nurses? station and the treatment was much better.?

However, the friend claimed that Mr. Barber has suffered lasting effects from his stay at KEMH.

?He is worse now than when he went in, as he was walking before he went into hospital but now he needs help. When he left hospital they could not get him into a car as he was in so much pain.

?Now those who are looking after him have to do everything for him. He has donated so much money to the hospital and to Bermuda that they should have treated him like a king.?

Another concerned friend said: ?I don?t think that he got the attention that he deserved. I didn?t expect him to get the red carpet treatment but he deserved better attention. ?The worst thing was the condition of the room he was in which was deplorable. The paint was falling off the wall on three sides of the room.?

The friend explained that a complaint was made about Mr. Barber?s treatment, and the hospital addressed the situation promptly. He added: ?I was concerned for Mr. Barber?s health but he?s in high spirits?

Mr. Barber was unavailable for comment. However, Jonathan Brewin, Chairman of the Bermuda Hospitals Board said: ?The Bermuda Hospitals Board takes its commitment to patient confidentiality very seriously. ?Allegations were aired by the press concerning the care and treatment of a specific patient at KEMH, who does not wish to issue a statement or indeed register any complaint regarding the quality of care provided to him during a recent admission.

?Our obligation, therefore, is to protect this patient?s right to privacy and we have no further response to make at this time.?

He added: ?Any complaint submitted on behalf of a patient is handled by our Department of Quality and Risk Management. All complaints are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. Again, without the consent of the patient, this information is not available to the public.?