The often unheralded social work carried out by staff at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute will be highlighted and explained during an "open house" session this Friday.

A team of five at the hospital and six at the institute give assistance and care helping patients access resources ranging from how to arrange home and day care to long-term programmes for those who have been involved in substance abuse or have learning difficulties.

This Friday the Bermuda Hospitals Board will mark national social work month by sponsoring an open house in the main lobby of the hospital focusing on the role of social workers in assisting people move through challenging times in their lives.

Last year a team of five medical social workers at KEMH handled more than 1,500 cases, helping patients as they left hospital care and made arrangements for home and day care and with any specialised medical equipment they needed.

"We direct patients to various agencies in the community and assure they have all needed services. This may include arranging Meals on Wheels, finding appropriate financial aid or obtaining medical supplies," said Colleen English, professional practice leader at the hospital.

"We'd like the public to gain a better understanding of the range of services we offer and the role we play. We provide people with information that improves options for them and their families."

The social workers provide counselling for patients, families and patient groups, linking them to community resources, evaluating home environments, assess individual needs, make referrals for financial assistance and arranging for air ambulance and treatment abroad.

At the MAWI there are six psychiatric social workers working with clients from the substance abuse and learning difficulty programmes, as well as with clients from the community health and child and adolescent services.

Sharon Apopa, manager for child and adolescent services, said: "We interview patients and families, compile case histories and interpret factors pertaining to mental illness. Our work is very collaborative and we liase closely with relatives and other support services."

The open house in the hospital lobby to learn more about the social work aspect of the BHB staff runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.