I have worked at the Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH) for a number of years.

The hospital has received criticism which we can learn from. It may have no stars but the bad press detracts from the efforts of nurses who work all hours of the day and night to give good standards of patient care.

Many elderly people would prefer to be looked after at home, if only there was funding and support for family carers. This would also free up more hospital beds.

My late father used to live near me, which enabled me to provide his meals and basic requirements.

At 89, he had a range of health problems. In the last six months of his life, he was almost entirely dependent on my husband and I for his daily support.

Home care or an attendance allowance was not an option. But Care Link allowed him to live his life as he wished. He was able to press a button on a pendant if he required urgent assistance.

He did this one night when he developed breathing problems and paramedics arrived promptly.

I travelled with him to A & E at the RSCH. He was seen immediately and given the medication for a patient in heart failure. An hour later, he was sitting up drinking tea. When a bed was available, he was admitted.

-Sheila Sheppard, Brighton