I AM writing in response to a recent report on the BBC about Sally Hart, whose 16-year-old son, Toby, died after a fall while climbing rocks in Cornwall in July 2012. Sally expressed concerns that she is still waiting for the inquest to take place.

Her concerns are understandable given loved ones cannot grieve properly until this process is completed.

Last week, the Chief Coroner announced new standards to ensure the majority of inquests are completed within six months.

I welcome this change as it will limit distress to families, but I am deeply concerned that without additional funding for coroners, waiting times will not alter, despite the best efforts of lawyers and court officials. I have dealt with complex inquests where families have had to wait three to four years before resolution.

Coroners have a vital role in holding individuals and organisations to account and need the resources to provide families with a clear understanding of how and why a death occurred. Expert evidence is often required from several disciplines, as well as witness statements.

I believe that without an increase in financial resources to support coroners, cutting waiting times will be a hard aim to achieve.

Rachel Heelis, Clinical Negligence Specialist, Partner Hodge Jones & Allen LLP, Solicitors, Falmouth