DAVID Hughes is correct in saying that older people with experience in older people's matters should be consulted in the closure of Acomb Gables (Letters, December 16).

One such group was set up by City of York Council and the Selby and York Primary Care Trust for consultation of this type. The closure of the Gables should have been discussed at an Older People's Partnership Board meeting long before it was made public.

The partnership board is made up of the council, social services, the NHS, the York Older People's Assembly and other groups representing older people.

As so often happens when those who juggle with figures are asked to find a solution, they lose sight of proper consultative procedures. This is the sort of thing that causes industrial strikes.

But we all know that the elderly cannot go on strike for their rights. By the time the families of the elderly residents find out who to contact the deed has been done.

My main concern is how many of these people will die due to the stress of being moved. We must stop making money the priority and put people first.

The Older People's Assembly and Age Concern York are also concerned about what other announcements will be made. Whenever cutbacks are made, it is too often the elderly who suffer.

Don Parlabean,

York Older People's Assembly,

Central Methodist Church,

St Saviourgate, York.

Updated: 08:51 Wednesday, December 21, 2005