I WAS in hospital with a broken shoulder injury and because I had nobody at home to look after me I was moved to star ward from B19 until I had something sorted out.

I must say the staff on the star ward (Warrington Guardian, April 14) were all excellent including the head of the nursing team there, who was very patient and understanding.

Eventually I was set for discharge, although my situation was still the same, and I wasn’t given any choice about it because there was only one registered care home with a place available.

I didn’t really mind because I thought I was saving a hospital bed for someone else.

My social worker said: ‘I should be clear of charges’ the same as if I was still in hospital.

On transfer to an elderly persons residential home it was not long before I was assessed for a bill of £1,300.

This despite the fact that I had no savings and had recently paid quite a considerable amount of money for repairs, plumbing, electrics so I had hot water, all prior to this bill being produced.

I would like all future patients who are funnelled into respite care as I was to be aware that whether they have a property which they own or have no savings, they will still be liable to get a bill.

In effect they are paying for care which ought to have been free at the point of need.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED