Organizational Structure and Administration

The Ministry of Health comprises several departments and agencies, including Ministry Headquarters, the Department of Health.  The department heads report directly to the Permanent Secretary. In addition, the Ministry has responsibility for the Bermuda Hospitals Board and the Bermuda Health Council, statutory bodies appointed by the Minister.  The Boards report to the Minister through the Permanent Secretary.

Legislative authority is through the following Acts:

• The Public Health Act 1949
• The Mental Health Act, 1968
• The Bermuda Hospitals Board Act, 1970
• Health and Safety at Work Act, 1982
• Bermuda Health Council Act 2004

To view these Acts in detail, go to http://www.bermudalaws.bm/.

Programmes and Services

The programmes of the Ministry relate to education, prevention, intervention and treatment.    In the main, they address public health, child care, dental service, long term care and rehabilitation services.

The Ministry of Health provides leadership in:

1. Strategic Planning
2. Policy Development
3. HR Management
4. Grant Management

Staffing

The Ministry Headquarters currently has an establishment of 14.  The Department of Health has the largest concentration of staff with an estimated 245 staff for the fiscal year 2006/2007.  The Hospitals have a total staff of approximately 1,500.

Statutory Boards and Committees

The Ministry of Health and Family Services has responsibility for  17 Statutory Government Boards and Committees, including 12 statutory bodies regulating health professions.

Funding and Budget

The combined Budget for the Departments in the Ministry in 2007 – 2008 is $139.658 million approximately 20% of the total Government operating budget.  It includes grants to the Bermuda Hospitals Board to provide for the cost of hospital care at KEMH for children and the indigent, a portion of the cost of hospital care at KEMH for the elderly and the full cost of operating St. Brendan’s.  In addition, grants are provided to organizations that provide services that support the Ministry’s mandate including the Bermuda Health Council, L.C.C.A., Salvation Army and the Parish Councils.

In 2006 – 2007, it is expected that the Ministry should collect $1.225 million in revenue.