I FELT I needed to respond to the letter in your July 15 edition “Adopt the Care Act” and clarify a few points.

The Care Act 2014 is a wide-reaching and important piece of legislation that applies to all local authorities. Wiltshire Council takes this very seriously and applies all of the requirements to look after people and remain lawful. The act is very clear about the steps that must be followed, beginning with an assessment of need and a decision about whether a person’s needs are eligible for support funded by the council. Not everyone is eligible for support.

Social workers are based in the same offices in our hospitals alongside hospital nurses, and work jointly in addressing the needs of people when they are looking to be discharged.

They are able to provide advice and information to anyone who makes a request. If it’s likely that an older person needs support to go home, they will always start an assessment of social care needs as soon as the person is well enough. Social workers do talk to relatives and do ensure that any family or informal carer is included and can have their own needs assessed separately if they so wish.

There are huge pressures on social care services, especially after a stay in hospital, with an increase of 300 per cent in the last three years. Some people have no other means of support and rely wholly on public-funded services.

As pointed out by your correspondent, things are never black and white with every older person and every family circumstance being different, but it is important that social care, the NHS and family carers work together to ensure no one is in hospital longer than is necessary.

The Care Act is legally binding and Wiltshire Council is confident that it follows all of the requirements but importantly has the principle aim of the interests of the person being at the centre of its attention.

JERRY WICKHAM, Wiltshire Council Cabinet member for adult care, public health and public protection County Hall, Trowbridge