THE Government keeps telling us the NHS is safe in their hands.

Well, with all the recent scandals in our hospitals, along with staff shortages and cash cuts, most of us know that this is not the case.

This in turn is creating unreasonable burdens on families and home carers, both financially and mentally.

The Government made it clear several times recently across the media that they're taking steps to enable more elderly folk to be cared for in their own homes; most senior citizens and their families would prefer this.

However, Government policies and their lack of caring awareness are actually making it more difficult for this to happen.

This is seriously crowding hospitals and forcing the elderly into situations which are detrimental to their good health and wellbeing.

Fragmentation of society and institutionalisation of senior citizens is now on a never-ending upward spiral.

Human rights, loving respect, dignity and a genuine listening, caring ear are what we owe our aged citizens.

Charles F Barnes, West Kirby