New Health Minister Nelson Bascome yesterday vowed to provide more of a safety net for the disadvantaged -- while improving the efficiency within the huge Ministry.

In his maiden Budget speech as a Minister, Mr. Bascome claimed his party would address social issues that had been allowed to grow.

But Shadow Minister Kim Young claimed Mr. Bascome had based much of his Budget allocation on policies and programmes set by the United Bermuda Party.

The Health and Family Services ministry will gobble 19 percent of the 1999/2000 budget with a total expenditure of $107.1 million.

Mr. Bascome said an examination of the Ministry revealed how some of Bermuda's people have been "left behind by the economic and social policies of previous governments''.

He said money had been thrown at problems -- an indication of how "money has had priority over people''.

These problems included errant behaviour developing from a lack of affordable housing, child abandonment, drug abuse, high insurance rates, some people's lack of parenting skills, and neglect of the elderly.

Mr. Bascome said his party would combat the "mind set'' conditioned by 400 years of racism, discrimination, disenfranchisement, and disillusionment, and would change these attitudes and behaviour.

"We must set the agenda for the emancipation of the mind,'' he said. "All of these problems didn't just arise on November 9. First we must provide the conditions at the (ministry) that are conducive to quality work.'' Mr. Bascome claimed there was low morale in the various departments owing to rundown offices.

"I had to let them know there is a new Bermuda,'' he said. "Yes, you are frustrated I told them. But we intend to shift focus and alleviate the problems.'' During 1998 there had been several changes at the Ministry including: an increase in the grant to the Bermuda Housing Corporation by $386,000; projected overspending of $847,000 and $1.8 million in the Health and Financial Assistance Departments respectively.

The Ministry also saw the addition of the National Drug Commission and the Women's Issues ministry, a move which cost some $2 Million.

And 1999 would see the introduction of an office dedicated to advocacy and advice for seniors, the National Office on Aging.

Mr. Bascome said the NOA was different from the United Bermuda Party's Senior Nursing Office, having a "stronger emphasis on seniors''.

He added: "But with a broad approach we will deal with several aspects of our seniors, like counselling and monitoring.'' Speaking about rest homes for seniors, Mr. Bascome said: "I was appalled at the conditions. We in this government will move swiftly and get the people that built this country improved buildings and facilities.'' At the opposite end of the spectrum, children would also see greater support, beginning with the setting up of the Bermuda Family Council office, to repair "the social fabric of society''.

The Bermuda Family Council would work with the Department of Child and Family Services to "repair the social fabric'' and bring about a more positive society for young people.

Mr. Bascome went on to promise a review of the Affiliation Act, after the implementation of the Children's Act of 1998 and the International Child Abduction Act (ICCA).

One feature of the Children's Act, Mr. Bascome highlighted, was mandatory reporting of abuse by authorities.

Acts like the ICAA protected children from around the world from being exploited or kidnapped by one parent.

Foster parents would see some relief as the Ministry would strengthen communication links to them and provide training.

"We want young people to get quality care from the womb on up,'' he said.

"We want young people to come into the adult community with a broader appreciation of society. And I want to remind adults of our commitment to children by encouraging them to volunteer.'' During 1998, 58 young people were housed and treated by the Ministry's Residential Services department, and virtually all had behavioural and truancy problems, he said.

Mr. Bascome singled out many groups during the speech, including the work of fathers at the Warwick Pre-School who not only did maintenance work, but also "put aside their differences'' for the betterment of the school.

Addicts would see a change in how they received treatment under the PLP.

Mr. Bascome, a trained drugs counsellor, said he wanted to see a reduction of the Methadone Programme run by Addiction Services.

"We want to move them away from any addiction -- legal or illegal,'' he said.

"There are individuals who may disagree, but I expect them to come to the table and discuss this before we move on it.'' Affordable housing was also on the agenda for a PLP government, with more than 60 controversial houses at Southlands, St. David's, being earmarked for leasing and renting.

Last year there were 304 applications for rental assistance and the Ministry administered another 275 rental houses.

Mr. Bascome promised 73 derelict homes would be refurbished by the end of the month with another 80 by the end of the year.

He taunted the Opposition, saying: "Look, yes it was your idea and programme but the people should have been housed. The houses are there now!'' Mrs. Young congratulated Mr. Bascome on his speech, but said the UBP should take credit for the general direction of the PLP.

She said Mr. Bascome's constant mentioning of the UBP's failure to address social issues was "beginning to get a little stale''.

"It's a terrific legacy left by the UBP,'' she said.

Mrs. Young, a nurse, called for the standardisation of outpatient diagnostic testing, particularly mammography. And she asked if Government would implement all eight strategies in a report by Arthur Andersen Consultants, which digested the more than 100 recommendations of the Oughton commission on Health Care in 1994.

Mrs. Young called for financial education for people getting assistance from Government, saying: "A lot of people get money. But many do not have the skills to manage it.'' Ministry of Health, and Family Services 1999/00 estimates Ministry responsibility: To promote and maintain the physical, mental and social well being of the people of Bermuda.

Budget estimate: $107,086,000 (last year $107,177,000) Revenue: $644,000 Budget allocations Min of Health and Family Services HQ $5,479,000 Health Department $14,383,000 Child and Family Services $7,476,000 Hospitals $61,476,000 Rent Commissioner $210,000 Bermuda Housing Corporation $2,083,000 Financial Assistance $15,979,000 Nelson Bascome