In a civilised society, citizens have a right to expect that vulnerable and disadvantaged people are adequately cared for and it is with total dismay that I have learned that Herts Valley Clinical Commissioning Group, [CCG] has taken the decision to withdraw its funding for Nascot Lawns Respite Centre.

The dedicated and highly professional staff at this centre provide specialist care and a caring and homely environment for children, who in some cases have profound learning disabilities.

These parents who use this respite service for their children actually save the state money as they care for their children in their own homes and do not use full-time residential facilities, which would cost more.

It is also a matter of concern that this respite centre has been singled out for this treatment, particularly as its users represent the most vulnerable in our society.

It seems cruel and heartless that at the click of a computer mouse these vulnerable disabled children can be treated so dismissively and I feel ashamed that this decision has been made in my name, as a taxpayer.

In the short term, the Watford MP Richard Harrington must use his influence to ask the CCG to review its decision to withdraw funding to this respite centre.

If cuts need to be made, then they should not be made to front line services that many families rely upon.

As an alternative to closure, could not the CCG be persuaded to ring fence some of the revenue raised by local hospitals in car parking charges to be redirected to funding this respite centre?

Alternatively, could the CCG make savings in the massive agency bills that the NHS pays to engage locum doctors and nurses and redirect this money towards the centre?

In the long term the NHS as a much needed and cherished part of our state needs adequate funding to adequately equip it to meet the challenges of a rising population and ageing demographics in the UK.

I would be happy to pay more tax to fund the NHS but I also believe that all companies without exception, that operate in the UK , pay proper corporation taxes as well.

Ian Kirkham,

The Queens Drive, Chorleywood