MRS Maureen Armfield (Letters, March 30) suggests that when nurses go into nursing homes they turn into monsters, treating older people inhumanely and ignoring basic needs.

While this may make good copy, it simply is not true. Nurses don't leave dedication and compassion at the door when they enter nursing homes. Standards of care in nursing homes are so much better than they were in the old geriatric hospitals.

If Mrs Armfield has concerns about an individual home, the way to deal with them is not to write to the local paper but to alert people who can sort it out.

Homes are inspected by the local health authority to ensure standards are maintained. The Registered Nursing Homes Association inspects homes before allowing them to join.

Homes are inspected regularly. Some have gone even further in pursuit of excellence by achieving externally-accredited quality awards, such as ISI9002 (international standard) and Investors in People.

If Mrs Armfield has concerns about a particular home she can contact the local health authority or ring the Registered Nursing Home Association on 0121 454 2511. Her concerns will be investigated and action taken if her concerns are borne out by facts.

Readers considering nursing home care for a relative should contact the Registered Nursing Homes Association for information about local nursing homes with high standards of care.

LINDA NARZARKO, Director of Nursing, Registered Nursing Home Association, Grovelands Road, Purley, Surrey.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.