As the cancer support charity Pals continues to grow, the organisation has taken on social worker Richard Smith on a trial basis to assist with its social support and bereavement services.

Karen Dyer, executive director of Pals, updated Hamilton Rotary Club on the group’s latest news.

For the year ending August 31, 2016, there were 109 new admissions referred for services, while Pals reopened case files on 22 former service users and recorded the deaths of 87 patients. Nurses made 4,583 home visits, averaging five daily for each of five nurses.

The charity welcomed the addition of radiation treatment at the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, Ms Dyer said, which is expected to open this year.

Many patients who at present travel overseas for the treatment will now receive it at home, meaning Pals will see more patients locally for post-radiation support — requiring Pals to liaise with BCHC management to coordinate efforts.

“Although we serve people who are facing life-changing illnesses, Pals is not all doom and gloom,” Ms Dyer said.

She added that the new Governor, John Rankin, had attended the group’s annual Christmas party with the news that he had become its new patron.