Whatever the cause stop bills going out

PERHAPS Lynne Lewis would have overlooked the first bill sent after her mother's death demanding payments for care she had never received.

After all when someone dies it often takes a while for paperwork to be sorted out.

But once Mrs Lewis had called the city council and explained the situation that should have put matters straight.

However it didn't and the bills have kept arriving.

Replacement Combi Boiler from £1,850 with a 7 year warranty!!!

Bristol Plumbing and Heating Company

View details

Print voucher

Thinking about upgrading your old boiler, why not take advantage of our fantastic offer High efficiency, condensing combination boilers, from the excellent Worcester Bosch range with a 7 year warrant

Contact: 0117 370 8042

Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013

Now to the city council those bills may just be a handful amongst thousands which are sent out.

But imagine what it must be like for Mrs Lewis. She has been trying to come to terms with her mum's death while at the same having to deal with council officials who behave as though her mother is still alive. Or compound their mistakes over the cost of her mother's care with impersonal, confusing "credit notes" rather than with an apology.

No one is suggesting that someone is being spiteful or that these letters are being sent out deliberately to cause upset.

But the council should remember that it is dealing with a family in mourning.

And that every time one of these official letters lands on Mrs Lewis' mat, the heartache of losing her mum will be brought vividly back.