SERIOUS concerns over Cumbria's adult safeguarding services have been raised following the death of a woman.

An inquest found that Charlotte Duffield, 40, died due to self-neglect after not being seen for several weeks.

Now, a coroner has written to adult safeguarding bosses at Cumbria County Council saying more could have been done.

Dr Nicholas Shaw raised serious concerns in a letter urging them to make changes to prevent future deaths.

The coroner noted that on November 3, police officers attended the woman's home in High Cliff after her aunt called officers to express concern for her wellbeing.

One officer then referred her to adult social care services two days later.

However after three phone calls to her and a letter asking to contact adult social care went unanswered, nothing else was done.

Dr Shaw said: "The officers were concerned about the state of the property, Charlotte's clothing, her lack of emotional response and that she may not have access to money following the sudden loss of her father.

"Cumbria Constabulary made a referral to Adult Social Care on 5th November.

"Evidence seen at the inquest indicates that on receipt of the referral three attempts to telephone Charlotte were made on 6th, 9th & 10th November.

"As there was no reply a letter was sent asking her to contact them.

"There is a note that her case was discussed at a multidisciplinary meeting on 9th December 2021 but no further action seems to have been taken.

"Charlotte was referred due to significant concerns for her safety but no safeguarding action seems to have been taken.

"I am particularly concerned that after her failure to respond to attempted telephone contact no physical effort was made to visit her in person."

Police discovered her body on February 4 after forcing entry to her home.

She had been dead for a 'significant period' of time, the coroner said.

Dr Shaw said there was a risk future deaths could occur in similar circumstances unless action was taken.

The county council has 56 days to respond to the coroner spelling out a potential course of action.

During an inquest at Cockermouth Coroner's Court, Dr Shaw said: "I am concerned with the safeguarding in relation to this lady.

"It seems that she did not respond to phone calls made or letters sent.

"But I think more could have been done."

The inquest heard Ms Duffield was 'not looking after herself' and had refused to accept help from doctors.

"She has not tried to get in touch with people for help and when people have tried to help, she had turned them away," Dr Shaw said.

"That is the fundamental reason why she has died."

Cumbria County Council has been contacted for comment.