Bermuda Hospitals Board 2011 Annual Report

September 19, 2012

The Bermuda Hospitals Board 2011 Annual Report was released today [Sept 19], providing information on the BHB’s financial position as well as statistical data about patient care.

Health Minister Zane DeSilva said: “These Annual Reports give BHB an opportunity to publish their financial statements along with details of its activities during the fiscal year and to account for how it has re-invested its surplus.

“I am happy to inform you that the Annual Report for 2011 (the year ending March 31st 2011), provides an extremely encouraging and positive narrative about how healthcare is being improved in Bermuda, while remaining focused on controlling costs and maximizing its efficiency.

“Recognising the need for greater efficiency, the BHB reduced the size of their senior leadership team and reviewed their contracts for Consulting Services – resulting in savings of $4 million,” continued Minister DeSilva.

In the 2011 fiscal year they also introduced their first memorandum of understanding (MOU) that essentially capped a local insurer’s exposure to BHB costs. This, and another similar moves stemming from this premise, has helped bring greater stability to an insurer’s exposure to hospital costs.

“I hope this Report gives the community a better understanding of the huge agenda that BHB is working to, as well as the many improvements that are already taking place.

“The Ministry of Health and BHB would like to apologise to the public for the delay in the publication of the 2011 Annual Report, which was caused by a longer than anticipated auditing process. It has been, as always, a very thorough and professional process.”

Minister DeSilva’s full statement follows below:

Good morning,

I am pleased to stand before you today to release the Bermuda Hospitals Board 2011 Annual Report.

With the release of this report, BHB’s public reporting obligations are now up to date.

These Annual Reports give BHB an opportunity to publish their financial statements along with details of its activities during the fiscal year and to account for how it has re-invested its surplus.

I am happy to inform you that the Annual Report for 2011 (the year ending March 31st 2011), provides an extremely encouraging and positive narrative about how healthcare is being improved in Bermuda, while remaining focused on controlling costs and maximizing its efficiency.

The Report for 2011 discloses that, through its fees and ongoing efficiency programmes, BHB has achieved sound finances as it prepares to meet the obligations of the KEMH Redevelopment Project, while also continuing to improve healthcare services in Bermuda.

Highlights the fiscal year include:

  • $4m being saved in consultancy costs and reduction in senior leadership;
  • The groundbreaking of the new hospital facility;
  • The launch of a digital mammography service;
  • A new Cardiology practice being established to improve care for people with heart disease;
  • Stroke mortality being halved compared to 2003;
  • The introduction of a Fast Track service which has subsequently reduced wait times in the Emergency Department;
  • A new medication checking system to improve patient safety;
  • And the launch of the Mental Health Plan.

All of these things show that an investment in quality patient care continued to be a constant focus for BHB. In fact, patient satisfaction trended upwards and comments made by patients were used to identify and prioritise improvements…such as the new food delivery system which went live with its first phase at the end of the 2011 fiscal year.

Maintaining and improving services requires BHB to make enough surplus to purchase both replacement and new equipment; repair and maintain their facilities and infrastructure; invest in staff; and make the clinical improvements necessary to keep pace with international standards in treatments, medications and diagnostic tests.

Recognising the need for greater efficiency, the BHB reduced the size of their senior leadership team and reviewed their contracts for Consulting Services – resulting in savings of $4 million.

In the 2011 fiscal year they also introduced their first memorandum of understanding (MOU) that essentially capped a local insurer’s exposure to BHB costs. This, and another similar moves stemming from this premise, has helped bring greater stability to an insurer’s exposure to hospital costs.

I hope this Report gives the community a better understanding of the huge agenda that BHB is working to, as well as the many improvements that are already taking place.

The Ministry of Health and BHB would like to apologise to the public for the delay in the publication of the 2011 Annual Report, which was caused by a longer than anticipated auditing process. It has been, as always, a very thorough and professional process.

In conclusion, I am happy to report that the process of auditing the 2012 finances is already nearing completion.

Thank You.

-

The full 42-page Annual Report is below [PDF here]:

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Comments (11)

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  1. Hmmm says:

    If they cut senior leadership and “reviewed” the consulting contract why are all wages up in 2011 compared to 2010 and consulting fees almost exactly the same?

  2. 32n64w says:

    “4m being saved in consultancy costs and reduction in senior leadership”

    I think the BHB are doing a great job improving services and the physical plant generally but when you read comments like the above one can only scratch your head and ask ‘where’?

    Year on year every single salaries & benefits expense line increased and in total by more than $18 million. Consulting fees more or less stayed the same at $8m and what does the $3.7m bad debt expense in 2010 relate to?

    Where is the $4m in savings? Has the Minister actually read through or understood these financials or does he just read what he’s told to/written in front of him?

    Interesting to see the Minister trying to to take credit for saving $13m off the very preliminary Johns Hopkins’ estimate which was presumably formulated before the RFPs were returned. That’s like taking credit for shaving $50m off the budget by agreeing not spend it in the first place. Sound familiar?

    Surprised the Minister didn’t highlight in his remarks that taxpayers will be paying more than $800 million over 30 years (before any adjustments for inflation so the number will likely be closer to $1 billion) to utilise a facility that will end up costing $247 million to build.

    How much of the difference goes towards annual running costs, depreciation, plant & equipment, IT, etc.? Show taxpayers the numbers please.

  3. street wise says:

    Obviously this is not the whole picture. Important numbers are missing as noted by 32/64. This report was probably ‘massaged’ to look good. I just cannot get away from the feeling of mistrust of the plp and anything they are associated with. Sad but true. SMH

    How’s that Public-Private Partnership coming along… any numbers on that?

    • LaVerne Furbert says:

      street wise, I guess you’ll be having that feeling of mistrust for another few years. Have you ever thought of relocating? There must be some government that you can trust.

      • pepper says:

        Lavern ,here you go again because you do not agree with street wise. you sugest he might need to relocate…. lady you need to relocate!!!!! and the sooner the better…

      • Come Correct says:

        Did you just make a statement with no facts out of party alegiance or did you just admitt a conspiracy to fix the polls?

  4. BHAG says:

    Please see below the Bermuda Healthcare Advocacy Group’s petition regarding the Bermuda Hospital Board. We need to come together to ensure changes are made.

    http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/bermuda-healthcare-advocacy-group-commission-of-inquir.html

    BHAG

  5. Q/N/A says:

    Do repairs and maintenance include the compensation pay offs of people who’s confidentiality have been VIOLATED,or the malpractice issues we never really her about???