In our February 19 edition, we carried a feature on Cowal's care homes - with only one out of five being rated by the Care Commission as 'good', three 'adequate' and one 'unsatisfactory'.

The NHS closed the Medicine for the Elderly unit some time ago, citing a national 'shift in the balance of care' towards community services as the rationale for closure. However, as highlighted in the Standard recently, Cowal currently has no health visitors - although it is understood that a recruitment process is underway.

Now, Argyll and Bute Council is to investigate privatising home care, day care and care home services for older people. Should it decide to proceed on this basis, such services would go out to tender, with private companies being considered in terms of value for money, among other criteria.

The choices for Cowal's older people look increasingly bleak and limited. What are your views? Do our older people deserve better? Or are the authorities doing the best they can with limited resources? Have you had a particularly good or bad experience with older people's care services in Cowal? Post your views - or contact aileen@dunoon-observer.co.uk in confidence if required.