top class care for Bermuda's seniors, it was claimed yesterday.

Shadow Health Minister Kim Young called on Government to bring forward long-awaited regulations and standards to fit in with registration of Island homes.

Ms Young was speaking after The Royal Gazette revealed details of a row between a rest home and the Health Department over allegations made against the administrator of the facility.

Frances Crockwell, of Palmetto Palms Seniors Home, slammed Health Department officials after an investigation was launched, without her being notified, which allegedly called into question her running of the home.

Mrs. Crockwell refuted all the claims and alleged the Co-ordinator of Seniors and the Disabled was "seeking to impose a legal standard on that facility that has not been passed into law''.

Ms Young said the pending legislation was vital if officials, relatives and home operators were to know exactly what was required of them and the standards that should be achieved.

"The Government brought forward legislation which provided for the registration of nursing and rest homes last year but at that time did not bring forward the regulations and standards. Therefore it sits around useless,'' she said.

"Dame Lois Browne Evans agreed that they would be brought forward for debate.

Months later and they haven't come forward yet. We feel that this appears to be an urgent issue that should have been first on the agenda of the Government if they felt that seniors deserve first class, quality care in the nursing and rest homes.'' The Shadow Minister said there needed to be clarification of what a registered nursing home or residential home was as opposed to an unregistered one.

"The operators of these homes also need this information to enable them to carry out their business, and comply so they can become registered.'' There were also question marks over the inspection process and the quality of care on offer, she said.

"Our community needs to know what to expect when faced with the emotional dilemma of placing our loved ones in someone else's care for the rest of their lives. We need to be informed what standards are being adhered to.'' GOVERNMENT GVT