Hospital chiefs met with social workers last night after they picketed yesterday over plans to move them to new locations which they say would destroy clients privacy and patient confidentiality.

Further talks are planned on Thursday said Bermuda Hospitals Board chairman Edward Saunders.

A lunchtime picket was mounted in front of the emergency department at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and petition signatures were collected.

However Mr. Saunders described the demonstration as "premature" as talks on the move had already been set up.

He said: "We were taken aback by this action."

The Royal Gazette understands the six to eight social workers are being dispersed around the hospital from their space in Montrose building to create room for the human resources department.

However Mr. Saunders said: "It's not completely determined what the building will be used for.

"We are trying to get all the programmes to work hand in hand for the betterment of patient care."

One social worker said: "In order to ensure continued professionalism we are refusing to breach confidentiality."

She said the board was in breach of its own policy, drawn up in the 1980s, which stressed patient privacy and confidentiality.

Bermudians appreciated privacy when faced with personal issues said the social worker.

"The administration has decided to decentralise the medical social work department and put them in patient rooms currently occupied."

She said this would displace patients and mean social workers shared space with administration workers and other patients.

"Most people want to wait in a private waiting room and go into a private office to share their personal information."

Mr Saunders said: "You can work in a shoe box and still maintain patient confidentiality."