Letters

SORRY to be pedantic, but Chris Lloyd's review of the Beat's greatest hits, in 7 Days (Echo, Dec 7) really annoyed me. He said Can't Get Used To Losing You is an extraordinary lovely song for three men from Birmingham to write.

Well, perhaps that's why it was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman and was a hit for Andy Williams in 1963. These celebrated writers were famous for many other classic songs, such as Here Comes The Night as performed by Van Morrison's Them.

Doc Pomus' death was the subject of the Lou Reed album Magic And Loss - not exactly my favourite party album. Can I take my anorak off now? - Paul Hardy, Darlington.

DIY

DOES your partner drive you to distraction with their DIY disasters? Does your wardrobe door, bathroom taps, door handles and light fittings fall off on a daily basis? Do you know someone who is a DIY disaster zone, or are you one yourself?

Lion Television, makers of Children's Hospital, Paddington Green and Castaway 2000, is looking for people to take part in a television series being made for ITV.

We are looking for DIY-mad people, or families who suffer at the hands of dodgy DIYers, to be part of a new, fun and entertaining series.

We need your failed DIY stories now. So call us now on 020 8735 4020. - Nicola Melluish, Associate Producer, Lion Television.

PROBATION HOSTEL

IN response to your correspondent (HAS, Dec 7), I must say that my surprise, as quoted, was due to the fact that Chester-le-Street District Council has a reputation for being outward-looking, and we had expected the planning committee to take a more balanced view based upon the facts provided.

The facts are that probation/bail hostels safely operate throughout the country; offenders, defendants and their families/friends already visit the Civic Centre; most defendants appearing before the courts are granted bail; defendants on bail without a hostel placement have reduced constraints upon them; risk assessment and the effective management of residents make hostels successful.

Many probation/bail hostels throughout the country have been built following appeal against initial rejection of planning permission. They invariably blend into their community and become good and valued neighbours. There is ample evidence to show that County Durham Probation Service is a responsible public protection agency.

We take this responsibility very seriously and would manage a hostel with the same vigour and professionalism as we put to our other duties.

It is in no one's interest for such a facility to be badly run. - K Norman, Assistant Chief Officer, County Durham Probation Service.

HOSPITAL STANDARDS

WE have all read and listened to stories about how our local hospitals and clinics have struggled to deal with winter pressures.

Often it seems that it is older people who bear the brunt of long trolley waits, cancelled operations, and overstays in hospital.

Age Concern would be interested to hear from any older person who has already experienced the NHS during the difficult winter months - either this year or last year. This would help us immensely in our work to improve the NHS and to ensure that it learns from the experiences of older people. Experiences might include being unable to leave hospital because care at home has not been organised; having an operation cancelled due to a lack of beds; or being kept waiting for a long time in Accident and Emergency.

Anyone interested in sharing their experiences and views should write to Katey Karam, Pubic Affairs Department, Age Concern England, 1268 London Road, London SW16 4ER. - Katey Karam, Public Affairs, Age Concern.

CARE HOMES

ON behalf of Care North East, which represents hundreds of care homes in the North-East of England and Scotland, I wish to take issue with the Prime Minister's comments on care homes during a recent Prime Minister's Question Time.

It is apparent that Mr Blair has little knowledge of the issues facing the care home sector.

The loss of 15,000 care home beds represents the closure of 760 homes in the UK, with a growing number of elderly people waiting for residential or nursing care services.

Care North East is calling on the Government to ensure that the funding for individual nursing and residential care placements is reviewed and moved to a level at which quality care can be provided on a sustainable basis.

In addition, we would urge local authorities to introduce a level playing field, ensuring that funding for individuals placements to both the independent and public sector care homes is provided on an equitable basis.

This inequity is further compounded as all independent care homes are subject to much more rigorous standards of registration and inspection than pubic sector homes.

As an association, we remain committed to the continuous improvement of our services. However, without proper funding, the Government is expecting the independent sector to subsidise the care of our elderly people. - The Executive Committee, Care North East.

DEMOCRACY

WHAT can be said of that small group of power-hungry politicians who insist on exercising absolute control over their domain, riding roughshod over all who dare disagree?

Belief in their own infallibility being brought about by the obnoxious behaviour of their supporters: they for their part being quite willing to dip their bread in the gravy of power.

Do I speak of pre-war Germany?

Sadly, I'm afraid I don't, for this scenario is happening much nearer home.

We must never be allowed to forget - all that is needed for injustice to prosper is for good people to just stand by and say nothing. - AW Dunn, Spennymoor.