My uncle was born in Brighton in 1917. A year later his father died in the Great War.

His mother brought up eight children on her own in the hard times between the wars when there was no state help. The boys went into the armed forces and all fought for their country in the Second World War.

My uncle, like the rest of his family, worked hard all his life and paid all his dues. He is the last of that generation still surviving.

Recently he has suffered two heart attacks and is, at the time of writing, still in hospital. This may change by the time you receive this letter. The hospital wants to send him home. He has mobility problems but is sociable, has previously been active and is totally on the ball.

As he owns his own flat he has been told he does not qualify for sheltered housing. He must sell his flat and buy more suitable accommodation. Not only would his savings, together with the sale of his flat only barely pay the cost of a suitable property but he is expected to do all this by himself in his present state of poor health.

He will be a prisoner in his third floor flat (there is no lift) with a care package comprising of a shopping visit once a week. The hospital says its resources are for those in need.

What has happened to our NHS that care is to do only with those short of money and does not consider need to be a matter of health?

My advice to anyone thinking of buying a property is do not do it as you will not be entitled to any help you may need in your old age.

Ann M Chalk

-Cranworth Gardens, London