Ron Wood wonders how Dresden House can be short of funds when residents are paying £500 per week. Since I work in the finance department of a local care home, I might be able to help him understand.

Of that £500, approximately £350 will go straight out of the door in pay costs, assuming its a 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year operation. That leaves £150 to feed residents and to provide laundry services. With elderly, incontinent residents, laundry costs do not come cheap.

Then there will be the costs of specialist equipment, beds and hoists, as well as normal business costs. Not a lot left is there?

-Tony Carr, Sompting