MR B M Joyce (Letters, December 9) claimed that hospitals are having huge problems with discharges being delayed because of the inability of the county council to arrange services to enable someone to go home.

I repeat that there is no problem with discharges being delayed from hospitals in Lancashire because of delays in Social Services undertaking assessments or providing services.

In those cases, where there could be delay because someone needs adaptation to their property, interim arrangements will be made.

There was an extensive public debate about the future of our care services for older people.

A named vote was called for on the issue and therefore no show of hands took place.

The photograph you have printed several times shows councillors voting on another issue entirely.

This decision to make changes was not taken lightly as I and colleagues thought long and hard about the issues -- and the proposals were changed in many respects as a direct result of consultation responses.

Mr Joyce posed three questions, which I will answer:

There are hardly any new admissions to county council homes; firstly, because there are fewer admissions in total as more people are helped to stay in their own home and, secondly, because the council needs some places to accommodate those who will move out of their residential home while it is refurbished.

There are referrals from hospital but rather than requiring someone to make a major decision about their future when they are in hospital and although ready for discharge may not be fully recovered, we now arrange a placement in an intermediate care facility.

The contracts for these services were let after a tendering process and in some cases the service is provided in a private sector home.

Rooms are closed down temporarily when they are vacated. This is for the reason stated earlier -- to accommodate residents from other homes.

It is not sensible to heat rooms which are not being used.

Care in the community is not a dream but is for some people now a reality. There are not enough services yet, but these are being developed.

HAZEL HARDING, leader, Lancashire County Council.

Footnote: The photograph referred to was of Labour councillors voting against an opposition amendment.

This amendment was aimed at preventing the closure of the county's care homes and was immediately followed by the named vote -- Editor.