SIR – Last week I commented that Bradford Council’s decision to change the criteria by which people can receive help with their social care from those with moderate need to those with critical and substantial need.

I observed that the cost of taking on more staff to undertake the new assessments may outweigh the savings when only nine people lost the entitlement in six months!

I have since learned that one of the affected people who lost their entitlement has since died. Whilst this tragic incident may not be directly attributable to their loss of access to certain care services, the situation highlights the need to closely monitor anyone who has had their access to certain care services removed, because peoples’ needs change, that can happen quickly and detrimental changes can have detrimental effects.

The likely outcomes for those potentially due to lose their services, or not receive services to which they would have previously been entitled, should also be considered in very great depth.

I have asked the council’s Adult Services Department to make regular contact with all individuals who have had their applications for care services turned down or reduced, suggesting that they could be reassessed if their situation changes.

I am concerned that people may be deterred from asking for services to be provided, having previously been through the process and been turned down.

Jackie Whiteley, Conservative Spokesperson for Adult Services, Bradford Council