Sir,

There has been much in the press recently about the crisis facing Wales in the care of the elderly, and the picture is equally bleak in our own locality.

At the demonstration to launch the Fair Price of Care Campaign, held recently at the Assembly building in Cardiff, Jane Hutt, Minister for Health and Social Services, said: "We recognise the vital role played by private care homes, we have heard you, we know the strength of feelings. We need you and we have to work in partnership."

Sadly, the local authority does not appear to endore the sentiments voiced by the Minister by paying a fair price for care home placements.

Home closures across Wales continue, with elderly and disabled people uprooted at a time in their life when they deserve consideration and stability. Yet little is being done to turn the tide.

Employees in our region are underpaid as a direct result of the lack of funding provided by the local authority and undervalued for the contribution they personally make to the local community. In fact, more often than not, they would be financially better off stacking shelves at the local supermarket.

It is no secret to anyone that the current funding of the care sector is a shambles. There has never been a more urgent need for change if we are to continue to deliver the standard of care which is the right of current and future generations.

This issue is outlined in the current discussion regarding beds at the proposed new Tenby Hospital. Once again, political propaganda is highly evident. Are the people of Tenby being spoon-fed the reasons for wanting these beds only at the hospital or are they being shown both sides of the coin in order to make their own decisions?

Have they had explained the reasons and or benefits of placing these beds within the private sector? Are they aware of the expectations of the Care Standards for Wales inspection team regarding the high level of training nurses within the private sector have to maintain in order to deal solely with elderly care?

Julia Sharp,

Manager,

Belmont Court

Residential and Nursing Home,

Heywood Lane,

Tenby.