Marc Bean: Health Minister Is “Derelict” In Duty
The public hasn’t “heard a single word” from the Minister of Health Patricia Gordon Pamplin about the closure of the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre, which is “clear evidence of this part-time Minister’s casual approach to healthcare”, Opposition Leader Marc Bean said today [Nov 7].
Citing financial losses in the $100,000 to $350,000 per year range, the Bermuda Hospitals Board [BHB] recently announced the St David’s medical facility would be closing.
St David’s MP Lovitta Foggo has spoken out against the closure, saying the OBA “turned its back on the people of the East End,” while Shadow Health Minister Zane DeSilva said the OBA “neglected to mention” that the OBA Chairman, an OBA MP, and a former OBA MP are all members of the BHB board that made the decision.
In a statement issued this morning, Mr Bean said, “It has been over a week since the Government blessed the closure of the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre and the public hasn’t heard a single word from the part time Minister of Health the Honourable Patricia Gordon Pamplin.
“People around the country must be asking, where is the Minister? As local OBA Members of Parliament are trying to distance themselves from this hugely unpopular decision, we have heard absolutely nothing from the Minister of Health.
“What is worse is yesterday’s revelation that the OBA’s very own Board [including the chairman of the OBA] didn’t have the decency to even consult the local MPs on the decision.
“There is an extreme level of arrogance when persons appointed do not even think to consult the representatives of the people who will be most affected by their decision.
“If this is the case, then it seems the Minister is obviously doing the board’s bidding and not the other way around. Perhaps the real Minster of Health is the board and that is why these decisions are being made, and we hear silence from the Minister of Health.
“This latest episode is clear evidence of this part-time Minister’s casual approach to healthcare. She is the people’s representative not the Board; and so it is her job to bring a sense of humanity and empathy to the table.
“The Minister has not done so, therefore she is derelict in her duty, and her attention is distracted.
“The Premier needs to strongly consider if this vital ministry, with the largest operational budget in government, can be adequately served by a part time Minister. The evidence to date seems to indicate that it cannot,” concluded Mr Bean.
Come on OBA put the damn facts out there so we can move on to the issues that really are effecting us, this is turning into a political circus, surely the justification to close it was based on financial and operationally practical facts…..can I see them please?
Susan said the public dose not have to be informed!!!!!!!!!
Yeah! That’s right Susan, a true classic case of the O(ld)B(oys)A(ssoc.)’s transparency.
Furthermore, it’s apparent that the Health Minister, has little or no say in a matter that the OBA hierarchy (which obviuosly calls the shots), have made their decision. Should we also privatise the Health ministry, like they did with Tourism. Or should I say will they make it official, that others than the Health Minister, is really running things!
One wonders what the P(athetic)L(osers)P(arty) would have done.
The business case to close the LFCCU is on the BHB website. Go read it.
Somebody needs to be saying something. Public opinion does court if the OBA is not to be a 1 term Government (or are they).
Your party insisted it be built and did not adequately fund it. You then spent all the rest of the money making it an impossible situation and it had to close. If anyone needs to answer for this it is YOUR PLP Mr. Bean.
The same as Sandy’s 360.
I don’t understand how the health minster is part time! That makes no sense at all!
All ministers are part-time. Remember some have their own businesses and have their professions ,this is their (side hustle).
I think you will find that the Minister did make a statement which Sherri read on Magic yesterday when Zane called in. Patrica Gordon Pamplin is a very capable person and there is no need to say the things written above about her. I guess that is just politics. Comes with the job. btw Marc don’t worry too much – I am sure she will have plenty more to say tomorrow in Parliament.
Well you’ve got a point there Marc Bean. This is nothing but arrogance and the minister’s silence is deafening. Healthcare is not a business!
she hasn’t been silent, the PLP are just a little slow to realise in this case
Healthcare is a business in that someone has to pay for it.
Newsflash: Healthcare is a MASSIVE business worldwide
the defunct plp would know all about that word..DERELICT.
Where have you BEAN….not paying attention?
Healthcare minister spoke per an article in the Royal Gazette on Nov 4th..Bean, please pay attention. there was a prior article which this one was based on, so she probably spoke before the 4th.
“Health Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said that while the care of the community is a priority, the history of patients at the facility indicated the public could be served equally well by the emergency department or general practitioners” source..Royal Gazette
PLP are clutching at straws. How embarrasing
I recall Dr. E. Brown saying something similar regarding the closure of the Clinic on Victoria St. Isn’t it ironic that the Clinic has now re-opened, and the OBA want to close Lamb-Foggo UCC. Sounds like a ‘tit-for-tat’. Are the OBA/ubp being vindictive?
Unlike the PLP the OBA don’t endlessly spout off just to hear themselves and make themsleves feel important.
Yup, they keep everything secret
Actually, I think certain PLP former ministers were and are very good at keeping financial secrets.
Nope – they speak when needed. The PLP had two tacts when in power – say nothing literally, or say nothing figuratively. In the end we knew nothing. Now as opposition they are down to saying nothing figuratively…..and non-stop.
Shhhhh Beaney.. they are very busy trying to find $800 million…
Didn’t they have Scotland Yard, F.B.I AND C.I.A down here investigating this situation and what was de outcome?
The P.L.P must be that crafty or these institutions are incompetent.
The health minister’s duty is to make sure we have a quality health care system that is financially sustainable. She would be derelict in her duty if she interfered with BHB’s ability to manage its resources responsibly.
This is just PLP noise.
Marc, lest we forget! You guys left the OBA with NO money to work with, remember!!!!!!!!
…”you guys”…?
Indeed; you bounders, you incompetents, you destroyers would all be more appropriate – guys is such a neutral, nondescript word.
How many press conferences did the PLP hold when they closed the indigent clinic?
Mr.Bean,you and your party were derelict in your duties.Oh,but it did not matter as those in power got theirs whilst the masses had to pay,and continue to pay.
The Anti-Bermudian one term OBA government is well on it’s way to down size Bermuda;What’s next a return to a one day trash pick up?
In the words of a English King of old’ Will someone or something rid us of
this government?
In the meantime Alvin hundreds of previously unemployed Bermudians now have jobs.
I know how much you hate to hear that.
Hey, that’s a good idea. Go back to 1 day a week trash collection. We could save money and people could provide their own large garbage cans to store the trash.
Thanks Al for your insight.
Better yet, privatize the garbage collection.
Yet another post saying nothing based on reality, simply to post his silly little catchphrase.
For the record, Mr. Williams, something will get rid of this government.
The people. This is how democracy works.
Do you have a problem with that?
If so, what system would you put in place?
Alvin would put a socialist system in place, he is to ignorant to realize that socialism has been tried in many countries and has failed every time!!! The reason socialism fails is exactly what the great Maggie Thatcher said, ” the problem with socialism is, eventually you run out of everyone else’s money “
Mr. Bean, I am sure the OBA powers-that-be are grateful for your observations given that your party as Government were of course the experts on dereliction and arrogance – but next time could you kindly include incompetence too, if that is not asking too much…
The money is gone ,pot is empty can’t keep ploughing money into wasteful projects
Mr Bean, You are feeding your supporters Red- Meat again.The Minister and yourself are friends. Call her up and find out what’s going on, instead of running your mouth, just to stir the pot.Marc, There’s no money left.If this is such a big issue, why is it that the West-end of the island is able to survive with out an urgent care unit? If money is tight, it makes better sense to serve all emergencies at the hospital.
Just saying………. The West End have Pender Bridge, Greys Bridge, Watford Bridge and Somerset Bridge! Get over it and move on!!!!!!