The Bermuda Hospitals Board has dismissed claims that hundreds of volunteers have resigned because of a new director.

A former pink lady levelled that accusation in a letter to The Editor.

As a member of the Bermuda Hospitals Auxiliary for more than 20 years, the woman -- who did not wish to be identified -- said she was concerned about the number of pink ladies quitting.

She claimed that since director of volunteers Debra Byrd had moved from activities volunteer coordinator in the extended care unit to her current position, the number of pink ladies had dwindled from 400 active members and 200 inactive to fewer than 200.

She also noted that Candystriper supervisor, Evelyn Latham, had left after devoting ten years to the Auxiliary and seven years to the Candystriper programme.

Hospital denial And she said the Auxiliary's charity shop -- The Barn -- was advertising for a part-time manager for the first time.

"Many excellent volunteers have resigned recently,'' she wrote, "and I am in great doubts when I see an advertisement in The Royal Gazette for a part-time manager for The Barn.

"We have always had a chairman to run this part of our organisation, and I would deem it necessary to find out why this new director is not doing the job that she is being paid for.

"The Barn comes under the umbrella of the Auxiliary and it is her job to see that all goes well.'' Ms Byrd said hospital policy prevented her from commenting. But Hospitals Board spokesperson Kendaree Burgess-Fairn called the "stinging attack'' on the director "unfair'' and "very mean spirited''.

"The Hospitals Board held an open camp to fill the last position of director of volunteers,'' she said. "And to date we've been pleased with the performance of that person.'' She said some pink ladies had left for "a lot of different reasons'', including age and health.

But Mrs. Burgess-Fairn said there were still 572 pink ladies, including 368 active members.

And while she said she was not prepared to disclose the reason behind the search for a part-time manager of The Barn, she denied it had anything to do with a lack of volunteers.

"The writer should address their concerns to the president of the Auxiliary,'' she said. "The Hospital Auxiliary has been extremely supportive of the Hospitals Board.'' When contacted this week, Mrs. Latham declined to comment on events leading up to her departure.

She stressed that she was trying to put it all behind her and get on with her life.