'˜A good man let down by the system'

Johnny, who was a well-known country music singer and fundraiser, died aged 91 in April in Shildon due to a lack of nursing beds in Hartlepool.

A number of you posted your thoughts on the Mail’s Facebook page and website.

On Facebook, Charlotte Macgregor said: “There has been a serious lack of nursing homes in Hartlepool for a while now. There are many care homes but only 2/3 nursing homes.

“My nana has had to go into a nursing home in Peterlee when she has lived in Hartlepool all her life.”

David Wheelhouse posted: “No lack of new housing though, even though they don’t appear to be all needed. Why aren’t we building a few more care homes if there’s a shortage.”

Paddy Horsley said: “It’s due to the ‘Quality Care Commission’ closing them down for not being up to scratch.”

Paul Moore Snr said: “More to do with health cuts and lack of provision for social care in the town.

“Maybe these ‘care’ homes should be ran by the Government not private corporations for profit.

“Then we may be able provide adequately for our aging population.”

On the Mail’s website a reader going by the name 79chrisg said: “It is sad such a good man was let down by the system.”

Another reader, manmade wrote: “He was a lovely guy one of the best it’s so sad that he had to end his final days outside the town that he so loved and loved him.

“We have boarded-up nursing homes in the town that could and should be utilised but it comes down to money.”

Old Labour said: “Absolute scandal. Nothing more to be said.”

Hartlepool and Stockton Clinical Commissioning Group says it is working with the council and other partners to address the issue.

It also includes working with nursing homes and trying to prevent the need for people to be cared for in hospitals.