I WAS saddened to read that the council are hoping to close Brownhill House.

I have worked with some of the staff and they are very dedicated in helping people with rehabilitation and helping out with respite care.

It’s a very important job that the staff do. It’s also a very tough job working with people who have dementia and various other health problems.

There is also a day centre there, which my mother used to go to.

I can see the council’s point of view, that they would be able to save money in the short term. But patients have to go somewhere, my guess is that the council will try and use private contracts to start with.

I know that in the long term future, it would make more sense to keep the team of dedicated staff who do such a worthwhile job.

Charlie Arnold, Southampton