Get political to save care homes

I have good reason for this as my mother, an Alzheimer's sufferer, has been resident in Heathlands Village for seven years. She is looked after 24 hours a day by a devoted team of doctors, nurses and support staff, without whom I would have had to give up my job and rely on "care in the community" -- which is no substitute for the excellent care my mother receives. Fortunately, my mother lived in Salford at the time of her admission and, following a case conference, Salford Council agreed to support her admission to Heathlands.

I shudder to think what might have happened had my mother continued to live in Prestwich, which she did, on and off, from 1934 to 1980.

I agree with Ms Kahn that elderly people deserve the best that can be provided and should not be left "bed -blocking" whilst A&E patients are waiting for beds.

When the NHS was created in 1948 its aim was to provide care "from the cradle to the grave". How well is it performing? Last week saw the announcement of the closure of the special care baby unit at North Manchester General; now Ms Kahn highlights the crisis at the other end of the spectrum.

The people of Bury will need to become more politically-minded if they want to reverse these trends. My simple, yet effective, suggestions are as follows:

1, All families affected by Bury Council's decision to continue to refuse funding should write to their MP; get them on your side and agitate for change. Complain about what is happening.

2, Write a letter of complaint to Bury social services .

3, Visit your MP in his surgery; if a few people go together, they can support each other.

4, Ask your MP to raise the issue in the House of Commons, especially as Bury Council have raised council taxes by 11.7 per cent and have used money to help struggling Bury FC.

5, Ask Bury Council for a case conference to discuss the needs of elderly relatives with medical staff, social workers and family.

DENISE STALLMAN,

Sandy Meade, Prestwich.