conference of a global home care organisation later this month in Chicago.

Patients Assistance League and Service chairman Mrs. Ann Smith Gordon will attend the first meeting of the World Organisation for Care in the Home and Hospice from October 22 to 24.

Mrs. Smith was one of the founding members of the Washington-based group, which was formally established at Hamilton's Princess Hotel in June of 1993.

She currently sits on its board of directors.

"It's very exciting,'' Mrs. Gordon said of her participation in the gathering, which is titled "As The World Ages, Health Care Is Homeward Bound.'' "I think for a little place Bermuda has a wonderful system and can contribute a lot. There is always room for improvement, but in general we do very well.'' PALS, for example, currently provides home care for a total of 80 local cancer patients, Mrs. Gordon said.

The international group, which was designated a "collaborating'' body of the World Health Organisation earlier this year, was formed to expand home health care as a means of dealing with a rapidly aging global population.

Founding members include Bermuda, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, France, the Netherlands and Belgium. Dozens of other countries have expressed an interest in joining, Mrs. Gordon said.

"Originally 75 countries approached the National Association for Home Care in the United States about serving as a catalyst for the world organisation.'' Mrs. Gordon added that new membership will be one of the primary discussion topics of the Chicago meeting.