HISTORY

In 1993 The Government of Bermuda, in response to community-wide concerns over the escalating cost of healthcare in Bermuda, and a growing public concern over the quality of healthcare services available on the Island at the time, appointed a committee chaired by Senator Oughton, to review the healthcare system.

The committee’s review, generally known as the "The Oughton Report – 1996" concluded that while Bermuda generally had a good healthcare system, the system could benefit immensely from improved coordination of its disparate parts and cost containment measures to mitigate the impact of inflation on the system’s sustainability. The Oughton Report, and a later report - The Bermuda Healthcare System Redesign Initiative - advanced the idea that a Bermuda Health Council was needed to manage the quality, cost efficiency, and sustainability of Bermuda’s healthcare system. In 2004, the Minister of Health, the Honourable Nelson B.A. Bascome, JP, MP, introduced the Bermuda Health Council Act 2004 to the House of Assembly which officially established the Council.

From its inception, the Health Council was designed to be a unique entity. It began with a multidisciplinary working committee and three sub-committees (focused on governance and structure, information technology, and legislation) that commenced operations in March 2005. The working committee was responsible for establishing the Council’s governance structure and guidelines for operation. This was facilitated in partnership with IBM Global Services. Membership selection guidelines and criteria for Council membership were created.

In mid 2005, the Ministry of Health advertised for potential Council Members. Applicants were short listed and went through a vigorous interviewing process. Members were selected based upon several criteria including the ability to work within a team, definable and complementary areas of expertise, and commitment and readiness to serve the total interests of Bermuda’s community. On December 19, 2005, the Council members were appointed by the then Minister, the Honourable Patrice K. Minors, JP, MP. They assumed their duties on January 1, 2006.

In 2006, the Minister of Health, based upon nominations from individual stakeholder groups, appointed a Collaboration Committee to provide additional expert assistance to the Health Council. Members of the Collaboration Committee were chosen by specific stakeholder groups with each member delegated to advance the interests of that particular group.

The Collaboration Committee was dissolved in January 2008 with the appointment of the second board of Council members. This second board consisted of representatives from a range of health professions such as medicine, nursing, dentistry, optometry, allied health, pharmacy, hospital, and insurance. This board served from 2008 to 2011.

Today the Bermuda Health Council is comprised of four ex-officio members and professionals with health system expertise in the following areas:

  • Business

  • Finance

  • Hospital management

  • Insurance

  • Law

  • Medicine

  • Mental health

  • Public health