A United Bermuda Party approved candidate yesterday called for the old wing of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital to be turned into sheltered housing for senior citizens.

Charles Hollis said: "Space now used for Government offices could easily be refurbished to accommodate scores of seniors in low-cost apartments that would allow them their continued independence while giving them immediate access to health care.

"For seniors healthy enough to live in such centrally-located assisted housing there is the added benefit of being close to town and the Botanical Gardens.'' And he added that his proposal would allow older couples and elderly people living on their own security as well as social contact with others.

Mr. Hollis said that years of caring for elderly family members set him thinking about the problems of an increasingly elderly population.

He added that Government and private sector programmes were "successful and caring for the Country's current needs.'' But he said: "Now it is time for some bold and creative action that will address the immediate and on-going future.'' He added that the residents of the proposed complex for the mobile elderly could also offer service in the hospital.

Mr. Hollis said: "They could also form the core of an entirely new group of hospital to augment the already over-taxed Pink Ladies -- and Gentlemen.

"Bermuda's seniors have valuable talent and experience and they would enjoy putting that to more use given the opportunity.'' Mr. Hollis has been active in the Smith's North branch of the party for some years, but has only recently become an approved candidate.

Smith's North MP Leonard Gibbons has already said he will quit at the next General Election -- and running mate Ernest DeCouto may also choose not to fight again.

That would leave Mr. Hollis in a position to team up with new Senator Alan Marshall, already touted as a possible for the safe Government seat.

Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness -- also holding the Health and Social Services portfolio -- was yesterday in Jamaica reviewing the troops of the Bermuda Regiment and was not available for comment.

Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Renee Webb agreed there was need for that kind of housing provision.

She said: "I wouldn't pour cold water on the idea -- clearly we need somewhere for our senior citizens.'' But she said she was not convinced the oldest part of the hospital was an ideal setting because of its lack of a garden-style setting, similar to that at the existing seniors' development in Pembroke.

HOUSING HSG