Homeless patients are calling for the Premier to outline how they will get treatment after a Government-funded clinic closes down.

Scores of people have signed a petition protesting against Dr. Ewart Brown's plan to shut the Medical Clinic, which provides care for vulnerable people including the homeless, elderly and mentally ill.

Walter Howes, 52, of no fixed abode, has been a patient at the clinic for about ten years.

Yesterday, he called for Dr. Brown to "show us your plan".

"Premier Ewart Brown says he wants rid of the clinic," said Mr. Howes. "What's his model that he intends to put in its place?

"Nobody makes statements to get rid of something without saying what you are going to replace it with. What the Government is doing is putting the cart before the horse.

"If they shut it down, they have got to produce a place that takes care of me, and they have got to finance it, because I can't.

"I say to Ewart Brown, 'show me your plan.' There's got to be a discussion on this."

Mr. Howes said he visits the King Edward VII Memorial Centre facility, formerly called the Indigent Clinic, for regular blood checks with the centre's GPs.

He said the first he heard of the move to close it was through the media.

"I found out by reading the newspaper," he said. "My first thought was, 'why?'. Then I wondered what they were going to replace it with and why the patients hadn't been informed."

Announcing the closure of the clinic in his Throne Speech last November, Dr. Brown said its patients were suffering from a lack of dignity.

Responding to this, Mr. Howes said: "I don't know what he's talking about."

He added that he believed the way forward would be to invest in the clinic to modernise its facilities.

The Medical Clinic deals with up to 50 patients a week and has been described as an essential service for those who cannot afford to seek treatment through the usual channels.

Transport, prescriptions and medical supplies are provided free, while patients have access to X-rays and MRI equipment.

After it is closed, it has been suggested patients will need to visit independent surgeries across the Island for an initial appointment. If necessary, they will go to the hospital for further treatment.

Patients have distributed posters in support of the clinic at locations across the city, with the message: "Did you know the clinic is closing? What can you do? Get the facts; tell your local politician how you feel; sign the petition; write a letter to the editor."

They are accompanied by a petition stating: "Whereas the Government has announced its decision to close the Indigent Care Clinic, we the undersigned strongly disagree at this decision." Scores of names have so far been added to the list.

The Rock Island Coffee shop, in Reid Street, has petitions pinned up on the wall.

Owner Lisabet Outerbridge said: "It's important that people know the facts. This is something for all of us to be concerned about."

Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson, who is campaigning for the clinic to stay open, said yesterday: "The patients at the Medical Clinic are completely panicked about their healthcare.

"They don't understand what the plan is, and how it will affect those who do not have an address, or a telephone, or are blind. Some of these people find it extremely difficult to be going from place to place for medical treatment."

Earlier this month, Dr. Catherine Wakely resigned from her position at the clinic shortly after The Royal Gazette published her letter in support of the centre.

It is understood Dr. Wakely was asked to relinquish her duties by Bermuda Hospitals Board the day after her letter appeared in this newspaper.

Meanwhile, nurses at the clinic have called for a debate on the future of healthcare for the poor on the Island. They say they are extremely concerned about what would happen to patients if the clinic was to close.

A Government spokesman said last week that a plan was currently being prepared for the transfer of patients from the Medical Clinic to the private sector.

Yesterday, Phil Perinchief, Acting Minister of Health, said: "When the plan to transfer the Medical Clinic to the private sector has been approved by cabinet, the media will be informed.

"That plan will allay the fears of your real or imagined homeless man for his future healthcare needs, and additionally, will restore his dignity as a human being."

* Mr. Howes approached The Royal Gazett> independently and agreed to be named and have his picture taken and published.