RECENTLY, there has been a lot of negative publicity about the care of the elderly, so on behalf of my family I would like to express some positive views.

Our mother, Margaret Butler, was a resident in a council care home, Grove House, in Penleys Grove Street, York, for the last four years of her life. During this time the staff could not have done more for her. From day one they welcomed her and made her time as comfortable as possible. Over the past two weeks, our visits became more frequent because mum was slipping away.

When mum eventually passed away, it was heart-warming to see the effect that it had on the staff, who were as upset as we were, another indication of the feeling they have for residents.

Our family would like to express our gratitude to all of the staff and also the students from York St John University.

We understand there is to be a review of council care homes and all care staff are concerned. I would plead that the staff at Grove House are kept as a unit.

One male resident recently said: “It is not home, but it is the next best thing”. How right he is.

A P Cox, Heath Close, Holgate, York.