Bermuda Hospitals Board says it is actively exploring medical tourism with one venture already generating 1,000 bed nights for local hotels.Health officials say new prostate cancer treatment unavailable in the United States has brought 200 “medical tourists” as well as their families and doctors to the Island since being introduced at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital nine months ago.And BHB says High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) could become one of a number of procedures taking place under the medical tourism bracket, a concept Premier Paula Cox has said could help the economy.But Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson warns adopting practices not accepted in the US could shatter Bermuda’s international reputation.Asked about medical tourism in Bermuda, a BHB spokeswoman told The Royal Gazette: “The Bermuda Hospitals Board is actively exploring integrating medical tourism opportunities with our current patient services.”She said of HIFU, a non-invasive alternative to chemotherapy which has not been approved by America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA): “The agreement enables prostate cancer patients to travel to Bermuda to have a leading edge treatment.“This treatment is proven and available in many countries, including Canada and Europe, and is currently in the final stages of clinical trials in the US.“Until it goes through final approval in the US by the FDA, Bermuda’s proximity to the US and the fact we can offer recovery in a beautiful island setting make it a compelling destination for US patients.“This is a benefit to the hospital and Bermuda.”HIFU is advertised on a video promoting Bermuda as a paradise island boasting the perfect surrounding for recovery.On a YouTube clip, specialist Stephen Scionti describes KEMH as a beautiful facility with state-of-the-art operating rooms and well-respected medical staff.It includes images of beaches and the sea, with a patient describing “gorgeous water” and saying after his treatment he and his wife intend to “go out and be tourists”.BHB says HIFU patients, physicians and their families spent more than $1.3 million in 2009 in the Bahamas on hotels, transport, hospital services, local physician services, taxis, immigration and medical council fees.The spokeswoman said medical tourism will help ensure all hospital vacancies are used effectively, but the priority would remain providing care for local residents.She added that all procedures will be performed at or above the standards of a relevant regulatory body.“The international HIFU prostate surgery programme is an example of how medical tourism can be positively integrated with our hospital services,” she said.Mrs Jackson said yesterday: “We have got to ensure that the medical facilities here operate in accordance with recognised standards in care.“This prostate cancer treatment has been brought to Bermuda, not FDA approved, and, like the stem cell situation, we have our reputation in danger.“What’s at stake here is the protection of patients and Bermuda’s reputation. It’s medical tourism of the worst kind. We don’t want to be involved in this.”The BHB stressed the HIFU treatment is not experimental, with the spokeswoman saying its final approval in the US hinges on effectiveness, not safety.“It is an established procedure in most of the OECD countries. We are taking advantage of the slow approval process in the US,” she said.“This allows us to move in a market that will ultimately minimise, when the US gives final approval. We will not do experimental surgery without following Ministry of Health directives and procedures.”Ms Cox’s press secretary said she would not comment, but in an interview with this newspaper during her leadership campaign she said medical tourism could offer a boost to the Island’s economy.She said patients from North America would fly to Bermuda, for treatment or recovery, in the same way they currently travel to Europe to avoid long waiting lists or high costs.The then-Deputy Premier said she would discuss the merits of the concept with the Island’s medical community before going ahead with it.Health Minister Zane DeSilva directed The Royal Gazette to the BHB for comments.During his time as Premier, physician Dr Ewart Brown spoke a number of times about medical tourism; he is part of controversial plans to bring stem cell technology to Bermuda.Giving a speech at a health care conference in Boston in 2008, Dr Brown highlighted Lourdes in France as a miracle town of 15,000 people which can accommodate five million pilgrims a year.He said then: “I am simply saying that people will travel to be healed. Healing is the Holy Grail, and people will try to find it wherever it is. That is and always will be.”lUseful websites: www.bermudahospitals.bm; www.ubp.bm