I was interested to read your report on D-Day hero Lawrence Harrington who died from neglect in a nursing home in Hove (The Argus, September 2).

I held a senior position in the local NHS trust, working in the elderly team and having a special interest in rest and care homes.

I did some research for a university course on this subject. My conclusion was there were only five homes in East Sussex that I would let any of my family be admitted to. The others I would not put my dog in their care.

Like the home Mr Harrington was in, many lacked good management and nursing and domestic staff received very little or no training.

Meals were another problem. The residents who paid a lot of money to be in these homes were not given a proper diet.

On one occasion I visited a nursing home with a registration officer from the local health trust. She had arranged the visit with the matron beforehand, much to my objection. The officer thought this home wonderful because we were given afternoon tea on bone china crockery.

The resident whose room we visited had her tea in a chipped cup.

The law is an ass when it comes to care of the elderly. My advice to anyone concerned about someone in a home is not to report it to the health trust but go to their local Age Concern who will give you advice about what to do. The trouble is we are living too long.

-Name and address supplied