Shadow Seniors’ Minister Derrick Burgess has criticised the OBA for dragging its feet over the issue of poor services and conditions in Bermuda’s senior care homes.

The PLP MP has accused the government of “denials, delays and inaction” and has called for a review of all policies and regulations relating to seniors.

Mr Burgess said he wrote to Health Minster Jeanne Atherden on the issue of senior care in June, 2014 outlining “serious issues that had been brought to our attention” calling for a review of the facilities for seniors and to address the “inadequate oversight and enforcement of the Residential Care and Nursing Home Act 2001”.

Mr Burgess said he did not receive a response until almost four months after he sent his correspondence.

He said: “We were forced to write to the Minister again in December on behalf our seniors. Five weeks have passed with no response. These concerns were also brought to the Government’s attention on the floor of the House of Assembly.

“We have not been the only ones to bring this issue to the OBA’s attention. Numerous complaints have been taken to the government and now these complaints have been taken to the media. All to no avail. Is the OBA interested in our seniors?”

Mr Burgess claimed the OBA had “flouted” several articles of The Residential Care Homes And Nursing Homes Regulations 2001 Act.

Mr Burgess added: “There is ample evidence that these regulations are being flounted with impunity. This must be addressed immediately. The PLP further recommend that all policies and regulations relating to seniors be reviewed specifically in the areas of staffing ratios, physical restraint of seniors and physician visits. We must also modernise regulations relating to the right to choose your own rest home and bring them in line with the Human Rights Act.

“Denials, delays and inaction must end and the condition and well-being of our seniors must become a priority for the OBA Government.”

Mr Burgess’s remarks came shortly after Health Minister Jeanne Atherden offered her “sincerest apology” to those who felt their needs had not been answered by the National Office for Seniors and the Physically Challenged.

In an opinion piece in Saturday’s Royal Gazette, Ms Atherden said NOSPC had a new staff of “dedicated, caring people who have the best interests of seniors and the disabled at heart”.

The office’s role and staffing have recently gone under review, Ms Atherden said, adding: “We are working hard to strengthen the effectiveness of the NOSPC and the quality of service it provides.”

The Minister also said that in the coming weeks, she intended to appoint a new Seniors Advisory Council that would include “a broad cross-section of the community”. The group would advise the Ministry, she said, and be tasked with completing a National Ageing Plan.