The Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre has signed a memorandum of understanding with a top cancer facility in the United States to collaborate on a radiotherapy programme.

Dana Farber/Brigham and Women’s Hospital, ranked by US News Best Hospitals Rankings for 2015 as the fourth best hospital for adult cancer care in the US, will share its expertise with the BCHC as part of the next phase in developing radiation plans for the treatment of cancer patients locally.

Cancer patients in Bermuda will next year have radiation treatment available to them on the Island for the first time thanks to an ambitious multimillion dollar project.

BCHC executive director, Tara Soares said: “BCHC recognises how crucial it is to establish collaborative clinical affiliations with overseas cancer centres so that we will safely and effectively provide the highest quality level of cancer care locally.”

Experts from the overseas organisations will advise Bermuda’s health professionals on issues related to the design of a facility, the creation of clinical radiation oncology policies, proceduresr and safety protocols and the development of a training and education programme.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital will work with BCHC to explore research opportunities along with a telemedicine programme.

Daphne Haas-Kogan, managing director and chair for the Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center, and professor at Harvard Medical School, said: “We are excited to partner with BCHC to expand the radiation oncology services available to patients in Bermuda. We share a commitment to providing patient and family-centred care, and through this partnership, most patients who require radiation therapy will no longer need to travel off the Island to receive high quality care.”

Chairman of BCHC’s board of directors, Glen Gibbons added: “We are proud to partner with Dana Farber/Brigham and Women’s Hospital to provide our patients in Bermuda access to the latest therapies at a comprehensive radiation treatment facility with a mission of providing cancer treatment to everyone who needs it, regardless of their ability to pay.”