HAVING been brought up in an annexe attached to a family-run, private residential care home for the elderly, I take exception to the thrust of the article entitled “Care decision put on hold” (The Press, December 15).

For your newspaper to promote the political prejudice that more private-sector care replacing public provided services that are being cut back would “raise issues about the quality of care available and staff training outside the public sector” is disgraceful.

In my opinion and experience, the quality of care found in private care homes is normally significantly higher than that offered in council-run homes.

The care for elderly York residents in their homes is another matter and, while offering part of the solution, is by no means the panacea for meeting all of the care needs of our frailest and most cherished citizens.

Mark Cosens, Green Lane, Clifton, York.