Danesbury future unclear

SIR - I refer to your article about respite care at the Danesbury Home in Welwyn (WHT, March 19).

Unhappily, continuing rolling respite care at this site is by no means guaranteed in the long term. While there may be places for a lucky few of those who have used this facility, this does not apply to all of them.

Thus David Davis has been able to book a bed up to the end of May, as a special concession. This does not apply to all patients.

After that date, he, like all other patients, will be left in limbo.

All these patients and their carers are very vulnerable. This respite care is essential for the mental well-being of both patients and carers.

It is these times of respite that make it possible for them to carry on and the last thing they need is uncertainty.

If the system has to change, then fair enough. But, and it is a big BUT, let them know what is happening. The only thing that patients know is that the service is going to end by the end of March 2008.

What they do not know is what is going to replace it.

This uncertainty has existed since November 2007 and still the primary care trust has given these people no idea of what is going on.

When the PCT answers letters, which is seldom, it gives no information to the patients, merely evasions. Haven't these people got enough to worry about?

This is closing down a facility by stealth and this is being done without public consultation as is required by law.

It is worth remembering that the Danesbury Home exists because of fundraising by the people of Welwyn and the surrounding area. Is their contribution to be forgotten at the whim of some faceless bureaucrats?

This is all being done by the primary care trust. PRIMARY means the first person you turn to. CARE means that you look after people and TRUST means that you can rely on them.

I would ask your readers to judge whether they have passed any of these tests.

Tom Davidson,

Welwyn Hatfield Alliance.