ELDERLY patients returning to an empty home after a hospital stay will welcome the goody bag initiative in Worthing (Welcome home packs for elderly hospital patients, July 16).

Vulnerable and frail people often find it very stressful returning home after a stay in hospital and having fresh food available on their first night back is a small but lovely touch.

Three cheers to Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for championing this initiative and reaching out to retailers for support.

This is just the kind of creative community thinking we need to support people in later life.

It is a shame that it falls to the initiative of individual hospitals and the generosity of retailers but wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing if policymakers took a lead from this?

If we as a nation are to provide consistently high quality care for elderly and vulnerable people we urgently need to break down the silos between the NHS and social care so that people leaving hospital have all the support they need.

A creative approach and an open dialogue are a good starting point.

May mighty oaks from little acorns grow.

David Waters, chairman, Howden Care, Edward Street, Brighton