Treatment of seniors has emerged as the key battleground in health and social services.

The Progressive Labour Party has established the National Office for Seniors and the Physically Challenged as a one-stop shop for their needs.

The United Bermuda Party said it was initially its idea, and the party has pledged to establish a seniors' health clinic.

And while the PLP has offered a $1,000 credit to seniors for prescriptions, the Opposition says it will give free prescription drugs and glasses to those who cannot afford them.

It has also pledged to give free healthcare for seniors without coverage or whose insurance may the limit the number of visits they can make to a doctor.

The UBP is committed to looking at reform of insurance and possible enhancements of coverage including increased use of drugs, further benefits in the Health Insurance Plan and a medical pension scheme.

Further platform pledges are to develop affordable assisted living facilities and to implement swiftly recommendations for raising standards in the rest homes and rehabilitation centres.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome says the PLP has delivered on, or is working on all its 1998 platform pledges - having passed 30 pieces of legislation - but his shadow minister Michael Dunkley claims the PLP management of health has been sloppy and inefficient because the service has been packed with political appointees.

Mr. Bascome said: "The Ministry has addressed all of the platform initiatives from the 1998 General Election. There are a few that are ongoing and at the initiation stage.

"The review of our healthcare system is a major initiative that has private, public and government input.

"The development of the Health Council that accommodates all areas of healthcare is at the legislative phase and soon to be launched with a broad cross-section of stakeholders involved. This is inclusive of insurance costs, medications and pharmacy, and healthcare in general.

"The Ministry has passed 30 pieces of legislation in regards to health and regulations. We have utilised previous reports such as the Bermuda Health Care Review and the Andersen reports to finalise the operation of the Health Council."

He said the Sandys and St. George's rest homes has been closed because they were unfit for human habitation. Sandys Parish Council was reviewing the facility there, and funding has been approved for a new facility in St. George's.

The average annual prescription bill for seniors was $3,500 and Mr. Bascome said no old person would be denied their medicine if they contacted the Department of Financial Assistance.

The Turning Point drug treatment complex had been merged with the methadone programme and Camp Spirit has come under the direction of the National Drug Commission. Among the achievements of the PLP, Mr. Bascome named: the Alternatives to Incarceration scheme; a new facility for Teen Services at Bay View; improved Financial Assistance; home-based residential care programmes; long-term care and governance of parish rest homes; a study of the oral health of seniors; the opening of the MRI and cardiac diagnostic units at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital; the Children's Amendment Act; and the certifying Health and Safety inspectors.

But Mr. Dunkley slammed the PLP's record, saying the UBP would improve the way health was administered, and the party would be tougher on crime.

"The PLP has really failed in key areas. In management, there have been many poor appointments of political people with no past experience and future ability to get the job done," he said.

"We have seen that in key positions throughout healthcare and it has caused huge problems.

"They have failed to take measures to contain costs and we have had many reviews showing we can adopt cost containment, such as the Arthur Andersen report that could be taken up.

"There has been poor facility management. KEMH is in a very poor state directly as a result of poor planning by Government and the people involved have admitted that with the recently launched $30-40 million capital plan.

"There has been a total lack of attention to insurance reform, to look at the system and get all the stakeholders to ensure it is efficient and costs are contained as much as possible.

"We support the seniors' centre, but it was UBP idea that has been started to be initiated. A national office for seniors is fine, but it does not go far enough. On the doorsteps we are constantly hearing of seniors not covered, so there are glaring holes in the system.

"Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) has been poorly managed all along. I believe Government has been very soft on crime and alongside ATI, we need also to mete out some justice.

"The National Drug Commission has had huge problems. With a $6 million budget, you have ask how the money is spent and the effectiveness and I would challenge the minister to show how it has been effective."