Two Canadians and one Jamaican are the contenders for the top post at the Island's only medical hospital -- King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

A decision is expected as early as two weeks from now on who the new Chief Executive Officer will be.

Meanwhile in a cost saving move, the Board has decided not to replace their Public Relations Officer, Kendaree Burgess Fairn.

Instead her duties will be incorporated into those of the Chief Operations Officer in charge of support services.

The Chief Executive Officer post, vacated by Sheila Manderson last month, is temporarily being filled by Lucille Parker at King Edward and Joan Dillas Wright at St. Brendan's.

According to deputy chairman of the Bermuda Hospitals Board, Ianthia Wade, the shortlist is now down to three people, all of whom will be interviewed in Bermuda within the next two weeks.

"The interviews will take place locally and we will make a decision after that,'' she said.

Competition for hospital post The Chief Executive Officer post is a three-year contract, after which time a Bermudian will be expected to be suitably qualified to continue.

Mrs. Wade explained that under the re-organisation of the hospital a requirement of the new CEO is to train and act as mentor to the two Chief Operations Officers, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief of Staff, and the Chief Information Officer.

"We have a succession plan in place which will ensure that there is always a pool of Bermudians from which to find a CEO,'' she said. "It has been difficult with just one (medical) hospital on the Island to get a Bermudian.'' Mrs. Wade noted that in three years, being Bermudian will be a requirement for the post.

She explained that the "five chiefs'' will undergo intensive training both in Bermuda and overseas and will engage in extensive "networking in the health care field''.