Sir, – I refer to your leading article (D&S, April 20) regarding the proposed development at Cherry Garth in Thirsk and Sowerby Gate. While potentially this could be a positive contribution to the growing challenge of elderly care, there are questions to be addressed.

Whereas Cherry Garth is a residential care home, the replacement is “extra care”, which I suspect could more realistically be described as sheltered accommodation. Also, one hopes that the development will increase the number of residential places overall, not reduce them.

The future of the Lambert Memorial Hospital, whose staff have served the local community so well, is also far from certain. Will the Lambert be replaced or will the hospital places be subsumed within the extra care housing provision?

These questions need to be answered before the Department of Health signs off the development.

The good news is we are all living longer, but that very fact poses enormous challenges for both health and social care budgets. This development could well be a welcome step along this path, providing certain reassurances are given regarding treatment of palliative and intensive rehabilitation patients, the number of beds and other concerns are properly addressed.

ANNE McINTOSH MP for Thirsk and Malton House of Commons