As the Bermuda Hospitals Board awaits the arrival of two new oncologists, a referral system has been established to provide clinical care to new cancer patients.

The BHB, Pals, the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre and the Ministry of Health are working to provide care to the patients as the oncologists go through the final stages of moving to the island.

The doctors’ immigration applications have been approved by the Department of Immigration and the hospitals board is in the process of confirming their start dates, a statement from the four organisations said.

“Although BHB’s medical oncology capacity has been reduced, the clinical teams are all here to help and will remain involved for all those with cancer,” it added.

Under the referral arrangement, the statement said that in future, all referrals for oncology patients should be sent by e-mail to the BCHC cancer navigator at referrals@chc.bm.

It added: “Any referrals received directly to medical oncology via the current route will be forwarded on.

“This includes new consults, previously seen patients with new issues and any returning overseas patients.”

It should include a referral letter, a pathology report, imaging reports, lab work and any overseas notes.

The patient will be assessed and reviewed through an additional oncology tumour board dedicated to triaging patient care, the statement said.

It added: “This will occur weekly or as needed for urgent patients.

“Recommendations will be documented in a tumour board note, and the patient will be followed to the next steps of their pathway.

“Patients requiring further discussion with the wider multidisciplinary team will be presented at the general tumour board, which occurs each Friday.”

For patients who require referral overseas for treatment, their Health Insurance Association of Bermuda form will be completed by the cancer navigation team.

However, the general practitioner or referring physician will remain the point of contact for such patients and he or she will be required to contact the patient to advise them of the tumour board recommendation.

The cancer navigator will then follow up with the patient regarding overseas referral information or information on the process.

The joint statement said patients will be advised to liaise with their insurance company regarding which facility they should be referred to.

Those who can be treated on the island will be referred to the appropriate physicians and monitored by the navigation team for any status updates or changes.

• The navigation team of Michele Hypolite and Harriet Stuckes can be contacted at referrals@chc.bm or on 441-621-1003