arrived in Bermuda this week to share their expertise and forge links with local paediatricians and nurses.

Paediatrician-in-Chief at Mount Sinai Hospital, Dr. Barry Smith said King Edward VII Memorial Hospital is highly respected in North America for providing top quality care for infants.

Since last year, the Toronto hospital, which performs specialist treatment and surgery on newborns extended its air transport service to KMEH.

As a result five critically ill Bermudian newborns requiring specialised surgery received treatment at the hospital within 24 hours last year.

The chartered aircraft is equipped with life support machines and a highly trained neo-natal transport team of 12 nurses and doctors.

And a toll free phone number means KMEH staff have instant access to advice from specialists at the hospital. Dr. Smith added a toll-free number for parents who can't afford to fly with their infant will soon be on offer.

In Ontario a third of sick newborns are brought to the hospital by plane or helicopter. The hospital boasts an operating range of 750 miles -- the largest in Canada.

Particular emphasis is put on providing support for the families of the sick babies.

Parents can travel in the aircraft with their child and the hospital organises special hotel rates at Toronto hotels. And for parents who cannot afford to go, the team carries a Polaroid camera to take snaps of their offspring en route.

"We provide tremendous support for parents who are dealing not only with the trauma of having a sick baby but dealing with a new environment,'' Dr. Smith said. "We feel that family inclusion is very important.'' Annual continued education programmes conducted by the transport team mean local doctors nurses and therapists can benefit from overseas expertise in care of newborns.

Dr. Smith added the annual event also gave the two teams a chance to meet face to face.

The service is funded by local insurance companies and charitable bodies which help those who are underinsured or without insurance.

Dr. Barry Smith