CUTBACKS – the very word fills me with dread knowing how much Durham County Council’s proposed cutbacks in respite services, such as Dene Lodge, in Ferryhill, will affect users and carers as well as job losses of much valued and compassionate staff.

Surely parents and carers are service users have enough to cope with in their every day situation without having their much needed respite services cut?

Jean Warnett, Tudhoe.