News Archives | Bermuda Hospitals Board

Diagnostic imaging equipment upgrade improves quality and reliability of service

Wednesday 26 March 2025: Bermuda Hospitals Board announced today that it is undertaking a programme of replacing or upgrading aging diagnostic imaging equipment at KEMH, following increasing issues with repairs and maintenance impacting imaging services.

Modalities being replaced include x-ray, CT, MRI, nuclear imaging and ultrasound. This equipment is at or beyond its expected lifecycle.

BHB Chief of Radiology Dr Daniel Stovell comments: “People will be aware that increasing repair and maintenance issues have impacted services over the last couple of years, so I’m extremely happy to see our replacement and upgrade programme begin. We are the only 24/7 emergency diagnostic service in Bermuda and people who come through our doors on the worst day of their life need the best possible diagnostic equipment available to properly diagnose what is wrong.”

“At BHB, we see some of the most complex illnesses and diseases on island, and our CT service supports the radiation therapy at Bermuda Cancer & Health Centre,” adds Dr Stovell. “Our imaging services are truly a community resource and now the equipment is not only reliable, but is faster, uses less contrast and radiation and produces the best possible quality images.”

BHB Manager of Imaging Services Terricca Smith notes: “Our diagnostic imaging equipment is absolutely critical across many services, from emergency and inpatient to outpatient diagnostics. It helps our clinical teams and community physicians diagnose and treat everything from strokes and cancer to broken bones and heart disease. We have extended the life of much of our equipment with the support of our vendor and our amazing internal biomedical engineering team. This reflects the challenging economic times we are in, but the equipment now needs replacing and upgrading. We are really excited about being able to give our local community access to a high-quality diagnostic service that is available around the clock. This is a service of which the whole island can be extremely proud.”

To date, the MRI and a CT and x-ray machine have been replaced or upgraded. An upgraded x-ray and new CT machine are in the process of being installed and the new ultrasound machines are now operational. Later this year the x-ray at the Urgent Care Centre and the nuclear imaging equipment will be replaced.

BHB CFO Arthur Ebbin advises: “The payment structure and cost discounts given by the vendor are incredibly helpful. It is a critical purchase for the hospital on behalf of the Bermuda community, who all benefit from having the highest quality diagnostics available to them.”

To make the replacement programme more affordable, BHB has structured payments to the vendor over time. The $12 million, five-year investment includes a comprehensive package of replacements, upgrades, installation and ongoing service. Philanthropic support, through the efforts of the Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Foundation, will be essential to making this programme a reality.

26 March 2025 Home Page, News

KEMH through road closed Tuesday 25 March 2025

Sunday 23 March 2025: The KEMH through road from just past emergency up to the Healing Garden parking area will closed from about 7am to 5pm on Tuesday 25 March 2025.

Access to the Point Finger Road Visitor Car Park for Acute Care Wing services, including Emergency, will be from the Point Finger Road side only.

Access to park in the Berry Hill Visitors Car Park and Healing Garden car parks for General Wing services will be from Berry Hill only.

This closure is to accommodate the arrival of containers on the KEMH site. If this work is interrupted by rain, the hours the road is closed may be extended. Please drive carefully and follow any instructions from onsite personnel.

23 March 2025 News

BHB moves to Alert Level 2

Wednesday 19 March 2025: This afternoon, the actions of staff to free up six additional acute care beds by putting two medically fit for discharge patients in two of the larger acute care wing inpatient rooms, as well as a number of other patients being ready to be discharged safely, has improved the situation at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital from an unprecedented peak of 34 people waiting for inpatient beds yesterday (Tuesday).

As of this afternoon there were 20 people waiting for an inpatient bed, although eight of them now have beds assigned, meaning that there is a bed becoming available in the near future. As operations were normalising, it has been decided to move BHB to Alert Level 2, which means that we are still on alert but no longer in an active response mode.

Acting Chief of Staff Dr Anna Neilson-Williams noted, “Our staff have done a fantastic job to manage the current pressure. While there was a required crisis response yesterday, our focus is still on finding ways to reduce the pressure where we can. We also appreciate the support and collaboration of patients, families and healthcare partners as we worked though managing these issues.”

A trial is already underway by the Digital Health department who are testing remote monitoring devices that could mean people do not need to be admitted, or can be discharged earlier if they are generally well enough but still need some level of monitoring. A taskforce comprising BHB doctors and nurses is also looking at other possible solutions that might not resolve the significant external issues regarding community support and care, but may help make improvements internally, or will strengthen BHB’s ability to escalate during peaks.

19 March 2025 News

BHB update on Oncology service

Wednesday 19 March 2025: Bermuda Hospitals Board today explained what is being done to stabilise oncology services following its two chemotherapy nurses being unable to work for unrelated and personal reasons.

Chemotherapy nurses are specialist nurses who are trained to give chemotherapy treatments to cancer patients. BHB has two nurses, with an additional nurse who is currently in training and still requires supervision. Recruitment has begun for additional chemotherapy nurses as the two nurses, who have provided an amazing service for many years, are close to retirement.

Chief of Nursing, Judy Richardson comments: “The sudden impact of our situation was only known on Monday. We have reached out to local partners, all of our clinical partners and nurse agencies to bring new resources to the island as soon as possible. Everyone in the oncology team is working to provide as much coverage as possible, but a significant number of chemotherapy treatments have been delayed. Patients for whom any delay in treatment will impact their outcomes, or those who have complex or specialised therapies that require chemotherapy nurse skills, will be supported in seeking overseas care. While we hope we can resume normal services in about a month, new oncology patients will also be referred overseas until we have chemotherapy nurses on island.

“We are so sorry for this impact, especially as we had just completed recruitment to fill our oncologist roles. The formal recruitment for chemotherapy nurses is ongoing with a sustainable training plan being developed with overseas affiliates. We are also exploring the recruitment of locum nurses as temporary resources as they can be organised more quickly.

“We will provide an update to the community as soon as we have secured locum resources,” Mrs Richardson adds.

19 March 2025 Home Page, News

BHB moves to Alert Level 3 due to capacity issues

Tuesday 18 March 2025: Bermuda Hospitals Board today upgraded its alert level to 3, with 4 being the highest, in response to growing pressure within King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, primarily driven by the number of medically fit for discharge patients causing a record number of people waiting for inpatient beds.

At one point this afternoon, 34 patients were waiting for beds. There were over 40 patients medically fit for discharge still in hospital, and all additional areas with available beds were being used.

To increase capacity, with immediate effect, two of the larger Acute Care Wing inpatient unit rooms on each floor will take two medically fit for discharge patients per room. As there are three units, this will open up six additional rooms for patients needing acute care.

The patients doubling up will be patients who are medically fit for discharge. The arrangement will impact visiting for these patients. They will be limited to one patient each at a time. Additional space in the Orthopaedic (Fracture) Clinic is already being used by four patients who are waiting for acute care beds, and available space in the children’s and maternity units are being used, as is created space in the long-term care units.

“This is an incredible pressure on our staff and hospital services,” says Acting Chief of Staff Dr Anna Neilson-Williams. “We have had to accelerate plans to increase capacity urgently today and this is helping us reduce numbers in the Emergency Department, but overall we are still under great pressure. We are grateful to our staff once again standing up to the plate. Our Emergency team has been under extreme pressure for many months, and it is being felt in our other units as they accommodate more patients.”

Chief of Nursing, Judy Richardson adds: “The community see the pressure when they come to the Emergency Department and find people being cared for on our corridors, or when they visit their loved ones in overflow units. Our staff are caring for increasing numbers of people and this is felt across clinical and support services. The changes we are making are helping us through this crisis, but in the long term we need solutions in the community for an increasing frail and elderly population.”

Acting CEO and Chief Operating Officer Preston Swan, stresses that families who are able to, must pick up their loved ones if they are medically fit for discharge.

“We understand that some people are very vulnerable and while they are medically fit for discharge from an acute care unit, they may have care or medical needs that must be in place in the community before they can leave. However, this is not all patients. We implore people who can take their loved ones home to do so. Every bed we can make available makes are big difference. There are other unwell people needing care.”

Chief of Emergency, Dr Chikezie Dean Okereke stated that the Emergency Department is currently facing unprecedented capacity issues and it is imperative that people only come to Emergency Department if absolutely necessary.

“If you can wait to see you doctor, please call and book an appointment,” Dr Okereke says. “People who experience significant trauma, have stroke symptoms, chest pains or serious bleeding etc. must come to us for care, but we ask that people with general aches, pains, or worries not requiring urgent attention to please contact their GP instead. And if you do need to come, please be aware that if your symptoms are not critical you are likely to have a long wait before you see a Physician.”

Dr Okereke stated that due to the space constraint issues, patients are advised to only attend with one person carer if absolutely necessary.”

18 March 2025 Home Page, News

BHB introduces two new oncologists

Wednesday 12 March 2025: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) is very pleased to introduce to the community its two new oncologists, who recently joined BHB.

Dr Dagmara Poprawski and Dr Bhanu Bandlamudi joined BHB in February and are now seeing patients.

Acting Chief of Staff Dr Anna Neilson-Williams comments: “I’m so pleased to be able to welcome Dr Poprawski and Dr Bandlamudi to Bermuda and BHB. They are highly qualified oncologists who will be a great addition to the oncology team. Their experience and expertise are going to be of great benefit to our patients. They join Dr Alisha Tucker in the Oncology team. This means we now have three fulltime oncologists available and can offer our usual in- and outpatient oncology services.

“I would also like to thank our community partners for their continued collaboration and support working to maximise oncology care provision in Bermuda, especially the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre and PALS.”

Dr Poprawski joins BHB from the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Saudi Arabia, where she worked as a medical oncology consultant from October 2020, mainly within the King Abdullah Center for Oncology & Liver Disease. Among her previous positions, she served as a senior medical oncologist and chief investigator for the Northern Adelaide and Mt Gambier Hospital in Australia.

Having gained her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 1992 from the University of Adelaide, Dr Poprawski also has a graduate diploma in tropical medicine and hygiene and a master’s degree in clinical tropical medicine from Mahidol University in Thailand. Dr Proprawski achieved her certificate in geriatric oncology from Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy.

Dr Proprawski is a member and fellow of many societies and colleges, including the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia, European Society of Medical Oncology, Medical Oncology Group of Australia and Private Cancer Clinicians of Australia. She is a member of the editorial group of QPW Cancer Journal, a member of the Emirates Oncology Society, and vice chair of the Exercise in Oncology Subgroup of Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer.

Dr Bandlamudi joins BHB from Subha Comprehensive Cancer Care in India, where he worked as a consultant in medical oncology and radiation oncology from February 2020. He previously worked in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Uttar Pradesh, India.

In 2011, Dr Bandlamudi gained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada. He achieved a postgraduate medical degree (MD) in radiation oncology in 2016 from Kasturba Medical College, Manipa, and a specialised Doctor of Medicine in medical oncology from Jawaharial Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research in 2019.
Dr Bandlamudi is a Member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology, American Society Radiation Oncology, European Society of Medical Oncology, and Indian Society of Medical and Pediatric Oncology.

12 March 2025 Home Page, News

Public Advisory: Hyperbaric chamber closed temporarily

Friday 21 February 2025: Bermuda Hospitals Board advises that due to unexpected staffing issues, the hyperbaric chamber at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital will be closed until Monday 3 March 2025. We hope to be able to resume operation of the chamber after that date.

Anyone who is planning to dive over the next 10 days or so should be aware that hyperbaric treatment will not be available.

21 February 2025 News

KEMH through road closed Friday 21 February 2025

Thursday 21 February 2025: The KEMH through road from just past emergency up to the Healing Garden parking area will closed from about 7am to 5pm on Friday 21 February.

Access to the Point Finger Road Visitor Car Park for Acute Care Wing services, including Emergency, will be from the Point Finger Road side only.

Access to park in the Berry Hill Visitors Car Park and Healing Garden car parks for General Wing services will be from Berry Hill only.

This closure is necessary to accommodate the arrival and emptying of containers on the KEMH site. If this work is interrupted by rain, the hours the road is closed may be extended. Please drive carefully and follow any instructions from on-site personnel.

20 February 2025 News

Deadline for BHB summer student programme one week away

Wednesday 19 February 2025: Individuals who would like to work at Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) over the summer are reminded that the deadline is Friday 28 February.

Preference is given to university/college applicants who are studying nursing (as long as students have started their clinical rotation), accounting, allied health, culinary arts, diagnostic imaging, finance, laboratory technology, mental health, pharmacy, rehabilitation services and substance abuse counselling.

Manager – HR Programmes Asia Ming-Raynor comments: “We want to encourage students to apply ahead of the deadline. There is usually a lot of interest in working at BHB and we design a programme that ensures students will have a fulfilling experience with us. We are looking for students who want to work in healthcare, but we also want to encourage students in areas such as finance, accounting and culinary arts. It is a unique experience working in these support services for a hospital and these professions are still critical for the running of the organisation.”

Students can apply by going to the Work At BHB page on bermudahospitals.bm. Students will need to include a cover letter, resumé and latest school transcript as part of their application.

19 February 2025 Home Page, News

KEMH at the forefront of hip replacement surgery

Monday 17 February 2025: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) is part of a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clinical study to bring a new orthopaedic implant to the United States. The Polymotion Hip Resurfacing (PHR^TM) is a new hip replacement device that will be used in men and women under age 65 as a part of the clinical study. In time, Polymotion may join its predecessor, the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR^TM), as a globally available hip resurfacing device.

Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Ronan Treacy (pictured left) is a co-inventor of Polymotion. He also designed the Birmingham implant in the late 1990s. He’s been a regular visiting surgeon in Bermuda for over 25 years and has performed hundreds of Birmingham Hip Resurfacing procedures on local residents at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH).

BHB Director of Orthopaedics Dr William Peckett has worked with Dr Treacy for over 20 years and has been trained to implant both the Birmingham and the Polymotion devices.

Dr Treacy and Dr Peckett did the first hip replacement surgeries using the Polymotion implant at KEMH in January as part of the Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study for the FDA.

Dr Treacy said: “I believe we are the first overseas centre ever to have taken part in such a study. We are privileged to be in the company of fantastic centres such as NYU, New York; RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago and some of the biggest names in hip surgery in the world.”

“In total, the team performed the surgery on four patients. Each went home on the day of surgery. All are recovering well.”

Most patients who undergo hip replacement surgery at KEMH are discharged home the same day.

Dr Treacy said: “The patients actually prefer to go home and be in their own bed in their first night. The level of pain control isn’t really an issue. Patients are very mobile afterwards.”

“This is the trend in the United States. We haven’t quite caught up in the UK. In fact, we are far in advance here at the King Edward Hospital to regular practice in the UK.”

Although the Bermuda surgeries were the first in the US study, Dr Treacy has successfully implanted metal-on-polyethylene hip resurfacings (similar to the Polymotion) in Birmingham, UK, for the last 9 years. He has performed about 90 surgeries.

Worldwide, approximately 250 of these metal-on-polyethylene resurfacing devices have been implanted. The Polymotion is currently being used regularly in New Zealand on general release to treat various hip conditions. It is also going through the necessary regulatory processes in other global markets, including Australia and Canada.

Dr Peckett will perform most of the local clinical study cases. He said: “We are excited to be one of only ten centres that were chosen for this study. The other nine are all in the US.”

“Over 200 patients are expected to be enrolled in the study, which will run for at least 2 years. We would be expecting to enroll approximately 20 Bermudian patients in total over that time period.”

JointMedica, manufacturers of Polymotion, were on hand at the surgeries last week. President of the company, Dr. Sharat Kusuma, also an orthopaedic surgeon, said adding a polyethylene lining

to the socket of the metal ball and socket device differentiates it from its predecessor, the Birmingham. Over the past ten years, metal-on-metal hip replacement devices (like the Birmingham) have become less popular due to the metal-on-metal bearing surface. The Polymotion device incorporates several design features of Birmingham resurfacing but eliminates the metal-metal bearing surface.

Dr Treacy said: “Dr Peckett just did his 300^th outpatient joint replacement here over the last two years. This is an extraordinary achievement due in large part to the King Edward nursing staff, radiology staff, its anaesthetic staff, and a lot of pre-operative work.”

BHB Chief of Surgery Dr. Alicia Stovell-Washington said: “We are proud that JointMedica has included KEMH as a site for this FDA study; it reinforces that our surgical department has world-class staff and processes.”

We thank Drs Treacy and Peckett for spearheading this effort to improve the lives of our patients.

Bringing the Polymotion clinical study to Bermuda completely aligns with our BHB vision; To pursue excellence through improvement, to make Bermuda proud.”

For more information on the Polymotion device click here.

Pictured at the top, from left: Tim Band, Senior Director Market Development, JointMedica; Dr William Peckett, BHB Director of Orthopaedics; Dr Sharat Kusuma, President, JointMedica; Jason Osier and Warner Watkins, JointMedica distribution agents.

17 February 2025 Home Page, News