I AM writing in reply to a letter from Mrs J. Pritchard (October 1) which was published under the headline: They abandoned my aunt (95).

Bury Social Services does not, and will not, abandon any person living in this borough who needs care and support. That is particularly so for a person of 95 years.

However, your readers would expect social services to make the best use of its resources to help the broadest range of people. Therefore, sheltered housing wardens are increasingly mobile, and are able to assist people when they are needed, rather than being attached to any one particular housing scheme and only able to help residents in that one scheme. The tenants receive the same service, that is a daily visit and an urgent response to any emergency at other times.

Having mobile staff obviously helps social services do that. The warden call system is connected to the council's Carelink scheme which operates 24 hours a day, every day to support sheltered housing tenants.

Home care staff concentrate on helping people with the highest levels of need. I am sure readers will agree this is a sensible policy which most people would support. Whilst the wardens will do routine visits, home care staff will continue to assist people who need personal care of an intensive nature.

I understand that the lady in question, who lives on the Elms estate in Whitefield, is now receiving daily home care visits in addition to the support of a mobile warden. I feel sure that this will prove an effective package of social and community care. However, the situation will be constantly reviewed and more care can be provided if required. Readers should be aware that this council is committed to supporting people in their own homes and has increased its spending on home care services for the last three years in order to deliver on that pledge.

COUNCILLOR KEN AUDIN,

older people's champion.