Vexed Bermoothes

Just a week after a report from the Bermuda Ombudsman highlighted political interference at the Bermuda Hospitals, a new leak has revealed some of the pressures at work.

After the Ombudsman’s report, the CEO of the Hospital stated categorically that there was no political interference at KEMH. Yet these notes, taken by the Minister of Health at an August 18 meeting of an unofficial group including the Premier, seem to show exactly that.

There’s enough in this to keep a Good Governance expert occupied for days, including admonitions such as:

Hopkins Report must be managed, it must be written so that it suits the Government and does not become a document that embarrasses [the Government].

The unenviable task of explaining away the $200,000 Hopkins’ report will be given to their successors, Kurron, who have their own chapter in this tale.

Note the emphasis in the quote. Not come clean on the issues. Not fix the problems. The emphasis is on the spin as well as micro management details, such as firing certain disliked individuals or amassing Bermudians in certain departments.

Thanks to the leaker, the Ombudsman’s report has been perfectly illustrated. This is not a way to run a hospital or a country.