Good morning.

It is an honour for me to be present today and witness the significant efforts being made to enhance the experience and outcomes of breast cancer patients in Bermuda.

I want to acknowledge the Bermuda Hospitals Board and Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, who worked closely with other clinicians and patients to achieve this milestone.

Thank you to Bermuda Hospitals Board, Deputy CEO Scott Pearman and Dr Chris Fosker, Medical Director and Radiation Oncologist at Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, who join me today.

This initiative is part of a broader initiative led by the Bermuda Hospitals Board to create an integrated approach to improving hospital services in collaboration with community providers, charities, and patients.

The bigger picture of integration involves making our healthcare system work together more efficiently for patients. This includes improving access to necessary services, making them available closer to home when appropriate, and enhancing coordination between different services and agencies.

I am thrilled to have witnessed the progress made in integrated cancer care pathways, including the remarkable work done by organizations and cancer patients to improve the experience and outcome for people in Bermuda.

The breast cancer care pathway is the first of many integrated cancer care pathways that will be improved. Mr. Pearman and Dr. Fosker will speak about this today.

Breast cancer represents the most common cancer diagnosed in women in Bermuda, accounting for 17% of all cancer diagnoses on the island.

The new pathway for breast cancer care is a significant step towards improving care for various cancer types. I am excited to see the fruits of the many individuals, groups, and organizations who have put in a lot of hard work.

Together, we can achieve far more than we can individually, and there is an excellent opportunity to make improvements that prioritize the people of Bermuda.

I want to express my gratitude to all those involved in this crucial work, and I anticipate witnessing continued progress and improvements in cancer care for the people of Bermuda.