IF older people cannot receive the long-term or intermediate care they need in independent care homes, then they will be forced to remain in hospital unnecessarily.

This is not good for their ongoing health and independence.

Yet homes have been consistently starved of the resources needed to do their vital work.

Local authorities who are the primary funders of this care expect nursing homes to look after older people at a rate of £2 an hour for expert care, food and accommodation.

This is much less than most of us would expect to pay in a hotel for basic accommodation and food.

Older people deserve, and the independent sector wants, to continue to provide high-quality care services.

The Independent Care Group believes this can be done in partnership with health and local authorities, but only on the condition that care in homes is funded at sustainable levels and becomes a priority, not an afterthought, in the rush to modernise the NHS and Social Services.

Michael Padgham,

Chair, Independent Care Group (North Yorkshire),

Stepney Road,

Scarborough.

Updated: 10:44 Friday, July 06, 2001