AS a retired mental health nurse, I was deeply shocked to read the findings of the report from Bury Primary Care Trust (Letters, August 3) concerning our homes for adults with learning disabilities.

These less fortunate and vulnerable people are part of our community. They are our responsibility and we pay our taxes to make sure that they are looked after with dignity and the highest level of care.

Not allowing clients in our "re-settlement" homes to have access to the kitchen or some of the rooms in the homes, and depriving them of regular outings and meaningful activities, is bad enough, but keeping bathroom and toilet doors closed after morning use is scandalous.

While reading this damning report, I could not help feeling ashamed of my profession. It reminded me of some of the horrors of Romania's orphanages which were shown on TV some years ago.

How did we get to this? How could we possibly have allowed this kind of neglect and abuse to be carried out in our name? What is it about the management of these homes which has failed to motivate their staff, and allowed them to get away with such inappropriate attitudes and practices towards their clients?

It would appear that an "external expert" will now be brought in for further investigation. From my own experience of 25 years in mental health, I am very cynical of what can be achieved by bringing in yet more experts or consultants. They cost a lot of money which could be better used in improving the service, and they do not tell managers anything they don't already know.

In my opinion, the clients of Bury homes for adults with learning difficulties need a group of volunteers who, once properly screened and vetted by the police, will act as advocates to the clients in these homes.

The advocates should be allowed free access to the homes at any time of the day or night, so that the staff are kept on their toes at all times.

This type of "good practice" scheme is already in operation for children's homes in the borough; why not extend it to the six homes for adults with learning difficulties, and any evidence of recurring bad practice be reported directly to the local Primary Care Trust?

E. McCLUSKY,

Brandlesholme,

Bury.