Bermuda's psychiatric hospital, St. Brendan's, was recognised as a centre for first class psychiatric medical training this week.

Assessors from the Royal College of Psychiatry recommended the Devonshire hospital for inclusion in its residency programme.

St. Brendan's Doctor Hameen Markar said inclusion in the programme was, " a great achievement,'' for the hospital.

"In order to practice psychiatric medicine, one has to pass Royal College of Psychiatry exams, Part Ones and Part Twos,'' Dr. Markar explained.

"One can only train for these exams when resident in approved training centres. In the past the Royal College has only approved certain places in Britain, one in Hong Kong and one in Malta.

"It is very rare for the Royal College to approve a hospital outside Britain, and St. Brendan's is the first overseas centre to be approved under the Royal College's new exam structure.

"It is a great honour and a great achievement for St. Brendan's,'' Dr. Markar said. "It means that any one sitting Royal College Exams can come to St.

Brendan's as part of their training.

"St. Brendan's can better open links with centres of excellence in Britain, and have access to top research.'' Royal College assessors left the Island yesterday after a 48 hour visit to look over St. Brendan's and finalise their decision to recommend the hospital for inclusion in the residency programme. Royal College approval will be officially announced in October or November.

RECOGNITION -- St. Brendan's Hospital will be officially recognised as a Royal College of Psychiatry Training Centre, according to Royal College of Psychiatry Assessors Dr. Neil Anderson (right) and Dr. Sivakumar (centre), who left the island yesterday after a 48 hour visit to the Devonshire Hospital.

Pictured left is St. Brendans' Dr. Hameen Markar.