I Was interested to read Vivian Lancaster's letter (June 23) accusing me of 'hypocrisy' over benefits for carers.

Had she come to see me before contacting the press, she would have learnt that I flatly opposed the closure of the National Health Service Community Unit for the Elderly in Easingwold. In my response to the Health Authority consultation last January I argued forcibly to keep the unit open to help patients, staff and the local carers in the community.

The last Conservative government created these units specifically to provide choice in healthcare and a local alternative to large, distant institutions. The closure of the Easingwold unit is a deeply regrettable decision on the part of York Health Services Trust and will pose difficulties to local patients and carers who will now have to travel to York.

I should point out that I have corresponded with Ms Lancaster in the past, in her capacity as a branch secretary of the Labour Party. Now that she has belatedly made an appointment to see me, I hope she will be prepared to proceed in a more constructive manner to support the carers in my constituency.

Anne McIntosh,

MP for Vale of York,

House of Commons.