set up, it was revealed this week.

Health and Family Services Minister Wayne Furbert said: "I've committed to look at our rest homes around the Island.'' Mr. Furbert most homes for the elderly are currently run by Parish Councils, with financial support from central Government.

But Mr. Furbert said: "I don't believe that's working and it's something we need to look at.

"I want to create a new body to oversee homes to make sure that seniors are getting the best service.'' And he added Government was also examining ways to keep the elderly out of hospital by "out-sourcing care facilities for senior citizens and other health care products which can be done outside hospital.'' Frederick Hassell, director of the Admiralty House Senior Citizens' Programme, welcomed the news.

Mr. Furbert was speaking as he announced a new one-stop shop to provide the elderly with advice and assistance on financial assistance, home help services, as well as assessments for residential care and health education.

Mr. Hassell said: "I suppose we're doing things in one direction and have an opportunity to experiment...if this comes into being and its beneficial for the residents, matrons and staff, it's worth looking at.'' He stressed that the staff at the Parish homes had done a "pretty good job'' in looking after the elderly -- but Parish homes particularly suffered from a lack of cash.

But he said: "I'm very concerned about our older population living in homes.

"I don't think we can take care of our loved ones as they can, but they need the money.

"If the vestries are coming under tremendous strain, both financially and otherwise, then the Minister should be looking at other avenues.'' Mr. Hassell added that 1999 was designated the international year of the older person and governments around the world, including Bermuda, had agreed to "look at things in a different manner.'' He said: "We've done well on health and survival but the quality of life for these people is equally important.'' The Royal Gazette reported in August that ex-nursing home staff had claimed there were problems in the system.

And last year, St. George's North MPs, Oppostion leader Jennifer Smith and the late Leon (Jimmy) Williams claimed Government was dragging its feet over improvements to St. George's Rest Home.

The two MPs said the home was in "a poor state'' and needed a massive cash injection for repairs and expansion.

Government MP Rick Spurling, of St. George's South, agreed the home needed expansion and improvement.

GOVERNMENT GVT