Bermuda Hospitals Board?s (BHB) department of medical social work will mark national social work month by sponsoring an open house in the lobby of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year?s theme ?Life?s Journey ? Help Starts Here,? focuses on the role social workers play assisting people as they move through challenging stages of life.

A team of five medical social workers at KEMH helps patients with a range of care that focuses on advocacy, empowerment and education.

In 2005, they handled over 1,500 cases.

Discharge planning, arrangements for home and day care and specialised medical equipment are among services they provide.

Colleen English, professional practice leader at KEMH, often works with elderly patients who are ready to leave hospital and return home.

?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.?

Medical social workers provide counselling for individuals, families and patient groups.

They teach coping skills and link clients with community resources. They also evaluate home environments, assess individual needs, make referrals for financial assistance and educate about illness and its affect on families. Arranging for air ambulance service and treatment aboard is another important aspect of their work.

In addition to medical social workers at KEMH, six psychiatric social workers at Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI) offer clinical care.

The MWI team works with clients from the substance abuse and learning disability programmes, as well as with clients from community mental health and child and adolescent services. They provide long-term clinical support, often focusing on individual counselling and family therapy.