I was very sorry to hear about Mavis Bishop from Peacehaven, who has been kept in hospital since November due to a lack of funding for a care home (The Argus, March 23).

I am sure there must be many more patients in this position, bed-blocking our hospitals and preventing other patients from getting operations.

This makes me very cross because care homes are having to close for many reasons, thus forcing the frail and elderly out into the community.

I was laid off about 18 months ago from the Newhaven Rehabilitation Centre, previously Newhaven Downs Hospital, and, as there was no funding for our help, they closed beds until further notice.

However, instead of re-opening them they have now been closed permanently, losing about 36 beds.

This constitutes two wards that could now be used for patients such as Mavis instead of being turned into offices.

I am sure this is happening in other areas in the South.

I am even more upset as, now I am becoming of an age that I may need this facility, my family may have to travel a long way for any treatment when we had this lovely amenity on our doorstep.

-Mrs M J Glockling, Peacehaven