Sir, – Work has now begun on the site of the new extra care housing scheme for elderly people in Leyburn (D&S, October 3). This is expected to be ready in 2015 and then the intention is to demolish Brentwood Lodge and build social housing on that site.

Whilst current residents at Brentwood Lodge will be given priority at the new home and the NHS dentist will be accommodated at the present site, no serious consideration appears to have been given to where the other four NHS services are to be housed, these being the chiropodist, the county physiotherapy service, the physiotherapist covering Leyburn to Hawes and the MS support group. Use of a community room has been offered to them by Broadacres but, whilst the chiropodist might manage in such a setting, the physiotherapists need accommodation which includes examination beds with curtains round, disabled access and disabled toilets, non-slip flooring (not carpets), an exercise room, a clerical area with secure IT services and a designated telephone line.

Are we about to lose these valuable services at a time when Leyburn would seem to be expanding - with the building of a possible 300 or more houses in the next two or three years? How is Leyburn going to attract new residents, as opposed to more second home owners, when we are able to offer less in terms of much needed NHS facilities. Older people are attracted to Leyburn because of what the town can offer - as so many villages are not suitable for elderly people without transport. As the bus services will inevitably shrink even more, people needing the NHS provision I have outlined will increase as they are forced to leave outlying villages for the town.

I hope these issues can be resolved before it is too late because we all know that if these valuable services are lost we will never get them back. Suggestions and ideas as to alternative accommodation are urgently needed.

SHEILA SIMMS

Leyburn.