Mr. Speaker,

My honourable colleagues would have received a copy of a brochure today outlining the initiatives that will be undertaken by the Ministry of Health during the course of this financial year.

This document came about as a result of a strategic planning session held in August 2007 including the Government’s key health stakeholders the Bermuda Hospitals Board, the Bermuda Health Council and the Department of Health. Together, they determined the areas of the health spectrum that we intend to address over the course of this financial year.

For the public, they can find it located on the Health Ministry website on the Government portal at www.gov.bm.

The intent of this document is to provide information to Ministry of Health staff to ensure that they are aware of the strategic focus of the Ministry.

Although they might be in the trenches delivering the services, I believe it is important that we communicate across the Ministry so that as they see health news in the local media, they will be aware of it and can ultimately see their role in the process.

Within the next month, it is my intent to hold a Town Hall meeting for Ministry of Health staff so that we might share these initiatives in greater detail and to receive their input on those matters that are of concern to them.

At the end of June, the key stakeholders will again be getting together to determine our strategic focus for the 2009/2010 financial year.

Mr. Speaker, I invite my honourable colleagues to note the initiatives in this document and to feel free to approach me to discuss them in more detail over the course of this year.