I WISH to point out the shortage of care staff in York and the resulting backlog with residents in hospitals unable to return home.

We have been operating in York since 2009 and we are now experiencing the worst time in recruiting staff.

People are able to work in shops, stores, as cleaners and get more than the average £8 per hour we can afford to pay staff.

The bulk of the care we provide is to City of York Council and I appreciate their hands are tied with the amount they can pay, but unless something is done, then many care companies will fold and the situation will only get worse.

One immediate fix would be to allow care companies such as mine to be able to claim back the VAT we pay for supplies, rent, office materials, telecommunications.

In the past year we have paid more than £10,000 in VAT which could have gone to increasing staff pay.

Another way of helping would be for registered care providers to give their staff Blue Badges so they can park close to clients’ homes when delivering care without the prospect of getting a ticket.

Finally, the council could host an advertising campaign to attract people into care with a bonus to be paid after they have completed, say, six months.

Timothy Kent, Era Homecare Ltd, Tower Street, York.