I wish to add to the comments on the future of our elderly persons' homes (February 9).

It was the independent Social Services Inspectorate which stated "that the services provided by the independent sector in York are cheaper than those provided by the council". The Insepctorate commented that our costs were nearly £900,000 higher than they ought to be.

To get value for money we will have to reduce our costs because it is clearly better to improve our efficiency and plough the savings back into social services.

I think the only way we can do this is by closing homes. But that is my thought.

What is needed is not thought but fact which is why the council is obtaining expert advice from the Nuffield Foundation on how we should provide 24-hour care in the future.

Councillor R I Hills,

Leader of City of York Council,

Guildhall, York.

...The answer to 'Care In Crisis' is quite simple.

The old people's homes, which City of York Council does not want, should be handed over to the York Health Trust.

Funding from central government, could be deducted from the council's existing government grant, with the rest coming from the National Lottery.

This could also be justified in other areas that are shutting similar homes such as North Yorkshire and Bradford Councils.

The health trusts then would be able to control the number of beds available to a more efficient standard and increase the availability of more 'acute' hospital beds.

David K Marsh,

Millfield Lane,

York.

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