The Nationalist Party has always had the interests of the elderly at heart, the Prime Minister said yesterday at a meeting with pensioners in Qawra.

Pension increases have been given, and the pensions were now being given in full even when a pensioner still worked, Dr Gonzi said. And after completing and opening Mater Dei Hospital, launching the Pharmacy of Your Choice scheme, and being on the point of opening a home for the elderly in Mellieha, a new PN government will be building a new rehabilitation facility for 280 patients at Luqa, and widening the cancer services by transferring to Zammit Clapp Hospital.

Over the years, the Nationalist Party in government had developed various services to help the elderly remain in society, including the telecare, handyman and homehelp services. Various houses had been built in the community.

Dr Gonzi said a report drawn up for the Labour government in January 1998 about Zammit Clapp hospital had recommended to then Prime Minister Alfred Sant that the elderly should start being charged for social services, such as for food and ambulance transport.

The difference between the PN and the MLP was wide, with the MLP wanting to halt progress, children to repeat a class, and overtime at hourly rates.