Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson last night called on the Premier to come clean on plans to close the Medical Clinic and farm out work to six doctors.

She said Premier Ewart Brown needed to explain who would get the work and how they would be chosen.

The hospital centre operates as a one-stop shop for the homeless, elderly and mentally ill but the Premier, who on Wednesday admitted to protestors the Clinic worked very well, indicated the concept was rotten at its core.

Last night Mrs. Jackson said the Premier had no clear idea on how the closure was going to be handled.

Mrs. Jackson said: “The Premier really doesn’t have a plan. He’s making it up as he goes along.”

Unanswered questions sent by this newspaper yesterday included: [obox] Why have only six doctors been chosen to take the former indigent clinic patients?

[obox] Who are they?

[obox] How were they chosen?

[obox] Where are they located?

[obox] How will the system work — will patients pay and then be reimbursed or will they be given vouchers?

[obox] When will it begin?The plan to abolish the “indigent clinic”, as it used to be known, was announced in Government’s November Throne Speech.

The statement said: “Bermudians lacking financial means will no longer have their dignity undermined as a prerequisite to accessing basic and necessary healthcare.”

But yesterday Government indicated the plan might not be explained until the middle of next month.

Mrs. Jackson pointed out the centre was revamped about two or three years ago, something which the Opposition had applauded.

The clinic was given a name change and moved to a bigger site next to support services such as the pharmacy and diagnostic department. More doctors were added and opening times were doubled as demand went up.

Patients have access to the X-ray and MRI equipment and some transport to the facility is provided free-of-charge, as are most prescriptions and medical supplies.

But Medical Clinic supporters say if patients are dispersed to independent surgeries they will then have to make further journeys to pick up drugs. Some question whether the mentally ill and elderly can all handle the extra complications.

Mrs. Jackson lamented the Clinic was now being closed for mysterious reasons.

“He cannot justify it, people are up in arms.”

On Wednesday flagwaving protestors confronted the Premier on the steps of the House of Assembly to protest the plans.

Campaigner Diana Williams, a former register nurse, yesterday hit out at the lack of consultation over the closure.

On Wednesday the Premier said he had consulted people through doctors although he admitted had only visited the Clinic briefly.

Mrs. Williams said: “How many doctors did you ask? What are their names?”

She said busy doctors were unlikely to clamour to take on poor patients and even if they did the waiting lists would be horrendous.

And Medical Clinic protest organiser Jenny Brooks said the patients also enjoyed the socialising at the hospital and coordinated with each other over transport to the site.

“They are senior citizens, they don’t get out much as they would like. They loved meeting in the Pink Ladies cafe. It’s not undignified. It’s lovely for them.”

She said she had already collected about 200 signatures against the petition while other petitions were still out there.