Three of the Island's primary organisations which look out for the care and health of seniors have signed an agreement to promote a closer working relationship in the future.

It stems from a publicised difference of opinion, reported in The Royal Gazette last November, when Age Concern Bermuda drew up a report card on what pledges for the care of seniors set in 2004 had been achieved by the Government one year later.

Health Minister Patrice Minors responded by recognising that there had been a breakdown in communication between the National Office for Seniors and the Physically Challenged, which operates from the Ministry of Health, and Age Concern.

In a bid to get things back on track and have the two organisations working together to share their visions and goals and not duplicate efforts, a "memorandum of understanding" has been drawn up and signed between the two organisations and Mrs. Minors.

The Health Ministry will receive reports on the monthly meetings between the two groups, and the two organisations will create a joint purpose statement for partnership and goals within the first year and provide each other with annual updates on their visions, missions, programmes, goals and objectives.

In instances where both organisations are interested in providing a similar service they will seek to collaborate.

Mrs. Minors said the new formal agreement would "establish a structured means of communication to promote continuous and constructive dialogue and avoid counter-productive duplication of effort to collectively enhance their respective delivery of services to older persons."

Age Concern chairman Patrice Horner signed the memorandum document along with Dr. Melvin Dickinson, director of the National Office for Seniors and the Physically Disabled, and Mrs. Minors when they met at the offices of Age Concern Bermuda.

Mrs. Horner said Age Concern would remain independent of the Government, adding: "However, together with the Government we will seek solutions for long-term care, home care, alternative housing, and activities for seniors.

"Whereas, some may wish to stand on the sidelines and criticise, we believe it is more beneficial for the community to work together to create and to enact the solutions."

She also mentioned that Age Concern director Claudette Fleming gave birth to twins on Thursday at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and said: "We wish them all the best and will work towards ensuring a good life for all now and in the future, as seniors in Bermuda."