SIR: In the Hampshire Chronicle dated 4th November, I read with sadness the report on page 4 of the Winchester City Council tenant who was found dead in Stanmore at the age 84, alone and having laid dead for some time. I read that her death is not being treated as suspicious and that the police are working with the coroner’s officers and an inquest is to be opened.

It is hard to ignore the rumours that surround this woman’s death. If, as seems the case, she had no immediate family or friends, then her wellbeing depended solely on the vigilance of neighbours and more importantly the local authorities - those in positions of responsibility and specifically trained to protect vulnerable and elderly adults from harm. A failure to properly assess and act on safeguarding concerns may well have been contributing factors in her death.

I hope the Hampshire Chronicle will cover the inquest and bring it to the public’s attention.

Angela Goodridge,

Victoria Road,

Hyde,

Winchester