Government is dragging its feet in response to the needs of residents at the St. George's Rest Home who are being housed in an inadequate facility that needs proper repair and expansion.

Progressive Labour Party MPs Jennifer Smith and Leon (Jimmy) Williams, have toured the building and they want to see the situation improved.

And they have the full backing of St. George's South MPs Rick Spurling and Grace Bell who also want to see action on the site.

Mr. Williams said he and Ms Smith have written letters to Government about the appalling conditions at the home.

Among the problems Mr. Williams pointed to are small bedrooms and a permanent smell of urine because the carpet needs to be changed. Two bathrooms serve the six male and six female residents who sleep on cots instead of beds.

Mr. Williams said that all four St. George's MPs have met with the St.

George's Parish council who have asked for their assistance in getting the conditions improved for the residents.

He said: "It's getting pretty crucial up there. Government had put together an architectural plan for the extension. Now the call is for finance to put the plan into place.

"I can tell you that the poor state of the St. George's Rest Home has touched our community.'' Mr. Williams said the scenery observed from the building was wonderful and included views of Tobacco Bay, the St. George's Golf Course and Fort St.

Catherine.

Meanwhile, Mr. Spurling agreed that the situation at the Rest Home was far from ideal.

Moreover, he said that the growing housing and other needs for elderly in Bermuda generally was also important to address.

"We need an expanded East End facility which will accommodate more than the needs of the current 12 residents,'' he explained. "And it should provide better circumstances and better care.

"Right now the rooms are small and inadequate. There is little privacy. It's noisy and somewhat smelly as well. The carpet needs to be replaced.'' Mr. Spurling said that Government hoped to expand the present building to house 24 residents with more bathrooms, privacy and equipment.

And the plan is also to change it from a parish to a nursing home with qualified nursing staff and additional security.

However, Mr. Spurling said that although private individuals and service clubs are keen to raise money for the home, Government needs to finalise its plans.

"Until we know for certain that the addition is going to be built and the renovations done, fundraising for equipment and furniture cannot take place.

"It is difficult to fundraise at a time when we have no firm commitment from Government,'' he added.

Meanwhile, PLP Pembroke East Central MP Stanley Morton shared similar concerns about the state of Pembroke Rest Home.

Its roof needs painting he said and there are problems with security and drainage.

Health Minister Dr. Clarence Terceira, said he was aware and was addressing the MPs concerns.

And at the moment he said his Ministry was looking at the status of all rest homes on the Island from the perspective of funding and conditions.

"We have decided to increase the funding of the Rest Homes on a per person basis,'' he explained. "Overall it averages out to about 23 percent.

"It's a needed a boost because rest homes are coping with insufficient funds.'' Dr. Terceira said St. George's Rest Home was different in that it required a "capital injection.'' And right now he was working closely with the Works and Engineering Ministry to chart the best and cheapest way forward.

He said that the Pembroke Rest Home had other functions such as a day care centre and a playground across the road which are added expenses.

SENIORS SR HOUSING HSG