My wife is one of the nine residents The Retreat intends to move into "mainstream nursing homes" ("Concern Over Ward Closures", May 30). She is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease and has been at The Retreat for seven years.

When she was placed at The Retreat, I was led to believe I would not have her to move again. She is now extremely frail and the intended move is certain to have a detrimental effect on her physical and emotional well being.

I am most distressed that I have to move my wife. The care she has received from the staff on the ward has been of the highest standard and I am concerned this will not be replicated elsewhere.

It is also of great concern to me that during the "review of services" I was not informed about what was happening or asked for my views. I was informed the decision had been made during a telephone call from a senior member of staff at The Retreat on April 25.

Tom Roche is quoted as saying "we will be working with our patients, their relatives and carers", this has certainly not been my experience so far.

I would like to ask the decision makers at The Retreat whether they would like their parents or other relatives to be treated in the way that they have treated my wife, myself and other residents and carers.

Mr B F Mann,

York Road,

Haxby, York.

Updated: 11:13 Tuesday, June 14, 2005