There has been a lot of discussion recently about bed closures in hospitals and the effect this will have on patient care, especially for older people.

The Older People's Council (OPC) was particularly concerned about the cramped conditions in wards last year which led to poor care being provided to very ill, older people.

The OPC sees changes are necessary and therefore has responded positively to Government proposals for delivering health care to older people in their own homes wherever possible, or locally through their GP surgeries.

The OPC believes older people will recover more quickly and be less exposed to infection in this manner than in hospitals. Of course, more nurses will be required to work in the community and posts in hospitals may be reduced.

One way in which frail and elderly people with high support needs can be looked after in their own flat with 24-hour care is in Extra Care Sheltered Housing.

Brighton and Hove City Council has been successful in obtaining several million pounds of Government funding for the development of New Larchwood in Coldean, to be occupied this summer, and Patching Lodge, Eastern Road, where, if agreed, work will begin in December.

At present, these older people are taken into hospital, where they are regarded as "bed-blockers".

The OPC is also pressing for more intermediate care facilities to reduce the time spent in hospital.

We also support day surgery at specialist centres where many more operations are being performed.

Concerns were expressed about difficulties travelling to Haywards Heath by public transport but an additional bus service from Brighton has been supplied.

-Joan Moorhouse, chair, and Beryl Day, health and social care portfolio Brighton and Hove Older People's Council, King's House, Grand Avenue, Hove