I WOULD like to congratulate the Evening Press for highlighting the proposed closure of the Blair Atholl Nursing Home in Haxby and the staff shortages suffered at York Rise (October 8).

While I welcome the announcement of an additional £312,000 over two years to prevent beds being blocked in hospital, this money will only be of use if the necessary nursing homes and trained staff are available to get older people out of hospital and back into the community. Any loss of valuable nursing home beds in the city will make this process increasingly difficult.

Over the past few years much money has been thrown at the bed blocking problem, seemingly without any lasting effect. Liberal Democrats believe that the solution is to be found through the provision of long-term guaranteed funding to the council which will allow us to work in partnership with private sector homes in the city to build a sustainable network of services to support older people.

Through parliamentary questions, Liberal Democrat MP Paul Burstow has revealed that 50,000 long term care beds have been lost over the past five years. The Government must make adequate and long term funding available for the council and private sector to work in partnership. If it fails to do so, we will continue to play pass the parcel with the care needs of vulnerable residents.

Coun Sue Galloway,

Shadow executive,

Member for health & social

services,

City of York Council, York.

Updated: 10:45 Thursday, October 11, 2001