WHEN 28 elderly people died at a Birmingham nursing home in less than 12 months suspicions were raised.
Especially when two doctors who owned the Maypole Nursing Home were later struck off by the General Medical Council.
A hearing ruled they'd failed to ensure patients were cared for or prevented them from suffering neglect.
But the city's coroner decided that the 13 deaths at the home in 2002 he'd examined didn't merit an inquest.
Because there was nothing to suggest any of them were caused "deliberately or unlawfully."
Understandably, the families of those who died were distraught. One in particular refused to take no for an answer.
And Hazel Bicknell's dogged determination has paid off. After five years she's won the right to challenge the decision not to hold an inquest into the death of her war veteran father Leslie Vines in London's High Court.
If she's successful it could pave the way for the first full public hearing into one of the Maypole deaths.
The decision is a resounding victory for ordinary people and a fitting final tribute to her father from a loving daughter.
Whatever the outcome of any future inquiry it's only right that the truth of what went on in a nursing home where so many elderly people died is out in the open.
Until then, the families of those who spent their last days there will never be able to truly lay their relatives to rest.