I would like to support Andrew Fair's comments in The Press (Day centre has to be saved, Letters, April 25) - it is essential that appropriate care be provided for York residents.

In your caption, inserted into the accompanying photograph, you say: "City of York Council leader, Steve Galloway, talks to protesters objecting to the closure of the Yearsley Bridge Centre." His stance tells you all you need to know!

I Wells, Naburn, York.


* I would like to correct some basic misunderstandings about the replacement of Yearsley Bridge Day Centre (Day centre has to be saved, Letters, April 25).

There is no question of services being reduced or families being left to care for people without support. The purpose of the project is to put in place a range of services that are better matched to people's needs, and that enable customers to get out into the city.

No changes will be made until we have completed a detailed assessment of people's needs, in close collaboration with customers, their carers and families.

I have personally spoken to a number of families over the last couple of weeks and we are aware of some of the things that are important to people, such as hydrotherapy and a place where people can meet friends.

We are actively working on options to match these requirements and hope to able to share our ideas with people in the near future.

I'm also very keen for families to help design new services and work with us to make sure we get it right.

I realise that change can be stressful, but often it is the only way to improve services.

I believe that ultimately customers will benefit from having a wider choice of services.

This was the experience when the council closed Hebden Rise Day Centre a couple of years ago.

There have been many big changes to services for people with a learning disability over recent years, which have enabled people to move out of hospitals and residential homes and have their own tenancies in the community.

I honestly believe that a better range of services can be provided by moving out of one main building at Yearsley Bridge and providing opportunities across the city.

Bill Hodson, Director of adult social services, City of York Council, George Hudson Street, York.