An independent audit into the running of St Vincent de Paul Home for the elderly is to be held, Social Policy Minister Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said this morning.

This would ensure that funds were not wasted and that elderly got a value for money service and good quality of life, she said.

The audit will lead to a policy for the elderly for which all stakeholders, including patients and employees, will be consulted.

The minister also announced that Labour MP Tony Agius Decelis has been appointed consultant for the elderly and will be based at St Vincent de Paul Home, where he will represent her. He will not be paid a cent over and above his MP's salary, she said, but can continue his private practice. (He holds a Masters in  Gerontology and Geriatrics at the University of Malta and worked as a paramedic at Mater Dei.)

Ms Coleiro-Preca said the new government would put an end to inefficiency and address shortcomings listed by the auditor general in 2005 but not tackled, she said. These included a lack of policy on admissions.

The minister said she knew of a 92-year-old-blind woman who had been on the waiting list for years.

Parliamentary secretary for the elderly Franco Mercieca said there was a €50m budget allocated for the elderly,and over the years the sector accumulated €11m in debt. This had to be addressed.