Phase two of FutureCare saw 68 people join in the first month of enrolment.

The first phase of Government's comprehensive health plan for seniors was launched 13 months ago and saw 2,681 people join the plan. And Health Minister Walter Roban said physicians involved in the scheme had been reimbursed as of the end of February for their services. A full report on the scheme's finances will be made public once the financial statements have been completed.

Minister Roban told the House of Assembly on Friday: "With the opening of FutureCare to persons 70 years and over, we had 68 new enrollees during the month of April.

"It is obviously too early to determine what the total growth will be over the next month or year but we are still monitoring this situation to see what exactly the total take-up is and by whom. "Contrary to what we have heard from particular individuals, each of our town hall meetings has provided evidence to the benefit that seniors are finding through their involvement in FutureCare.

"The programme was designed to meet a particular need and from all indications both anecdotal and as evidenced in the data we are seeing, it is more than adequately meeting the need."

Mr. Roban also told the House that outstanding payments to physicians had been completed by the end of February.

Minister Roban added that the Ministry was forging ahead with the implementation of an automated system which will further help prompt payment to physicians.