Sir – I am writing to respond to your July 14 editorial and your associated article (Family’s fury at Southern Cross). The county council issues safeguarding procedures where appropriate once it learns of issues such as those covered in your article.

In the case which was highlighted, we concluded that there was no ongoing safeguarding alert as our client was not due to go back to the Brookfield Christian Care Home.

We, however, were in immediate contact with Southern Cross, the home’s operator, about a number of concerns which we had as a result our client’s stay, matters which were addressed to our satisfaction by the home’s management and Southern Cross.

We recognise that we could have dealt with the particular complaint we had received in a better way when liaising with the complainant and we apologise for the way it was handled. A review is under way to see how such comments and complaints could be addressed in the future.

It would be misleading to assume that all care given in residential settings is not up to the high standards which residents, families and local authorities expect and require.

Indeed, a survey carried out earlier this year in Oxfordshire found that more than 96 per cent of those asked were extremely, very or quite satisfied with the services they received in care homes.

My officers and I will continue to work hard with care home providers and the homes themselves to ensure that the high standards everybody expects are achieved.

Arash Fatemian, Cabinet member for adult services, Oxfordshire County Council