Sir - I have a copy of Oxon News. I was puzzled by the foreword from Keith Mitchell.

My wife and I have had interactions with Oxfordshire social services which were far from satisfactory. In anticipation of my wife's major operation, I telephoned social services, saying that, because of our ages (late seventies), we would need after-care services.

Response was helpful. We were invited to telephone again nearer to her discharge from hospital.

After several telephone calls, a form of several pages was sent to the hospital: it was completed by busy nursing staff and faxed back.

After this, we heard nothing personally but it was suggested to the hospital that my wife should be kept in a hospital bed for longer.

This did not seem a sensible solution. We are seriously concerned that elderly folk who live alone or with an elderly carer will receive similar treatment.

The contrast of complex administration, planning and assessment with a lack of resources on the ground is stark.

I hope that Keith Mitchell and his senior colleagues will not remain satisfied.

Dr. Ron Sowden Oxford