I WAS concerned to read that Archways is to close (The Press, August 18).

As part of a church pastoral care team, I have visited people there and found it to be a contented place with good facilities and caring staff - a perfect intermediary stay between hospital and home.

So why the closure if it is not about money?

Care at home sounds wonderful and is obviously the best solution - if it works.

But what does “care at home” really amount to?

In my experience, it involves visits from an underpaid and over-worked care worker whose time is limited to about ten minutes per session, putting a meal in the microwave, checking the patient is “all right” and then spending the rest of the time writing up notes.

Respite in a peaceful environment such as Archways where there are staff on hand throughout the day and night would surely be more beneficial to a patient’s rehabilitation than the limited care on offer at home.

Our elderly deserve better.

Anne Bednarski, York