IT would be wrong for your readers to be led to believe that there is a significant issue with bed blocking in Stockton as Ukip Prospective Parliamentary Candidates Ted Strike and Mandy Boylett claim (HAS, Feb 11).

I would like to assure readers that the appropriate, expedient and safe discharge of our vulnerable and older residents is a constant and paramount priority for Stockton Council and our local NHS Trusts as we believe all of our residents should be treated with respect and dignity all year round.

No delays have been attributed to social care.

Local authorities can, in fact, be penalised for bed blocking at a rate of £100 per day and Stockton Council has never had to make any payments for delays.

Councillor Jim Beall, Stockton Borough Council cabinet member for adult services and health.

WHEN are the main parties going to stop playing football with the National Health Service? Does anybody with an ounce of common sense truly expect the NHS to be any different which ever party is in power after May 7?

The obvious answer is “no”. So why are they all scare-mongering with the single most important structure in our country? Why are they trying to frighten vulnerable people who depend on it for their care?

When are the politicians going to fix what needs fixing and praise what needs praising, support and encourage improvement rather than score points off each other?

What the NHS needs is a clear decisive direction and the tools to achieve it.

At James Cook Hospital, in Middlesbrough, we have seen an innovative solution to bed blocking by opening up a temporary ward coupled with a departure lounge for patients. Simple solutions provided from within can solve ongoing issues in our hospitals.

So please can the politicians get on with something they do best, like wasting our money on vanity projects such as HS2, and let the NHS do what it is best at - providing health care for all.

Chris Gallacher, Ukip prospective parliamentary candidate for Redcar.