WE were very sorry to hear the story "Emergency alarm failed 82-year-old" (Shuttle/Times and News Letters, January 6) regarding Wyre Forest Community Housing's alarm service and have been in contact with the family to offer appropriate assistance.

They have kindly provided us with details of the incident. They have also stated that, on the whole, the service their mother receives from the community alarm team is very good.

The letter prompted the company to reassess the way that the pendant alarms are tested and we are confident that the community alarm service is a good system of support for our 4,000-plus frail, elderly and vulnerable customers across the Wyre Forest district.

The service does require our customers to regularly test their pendants so that the strength of the signal can be determined.

If there are any problems (such as batteries are low or the unit is not working correctly) we take immediate action and a member of the team will visit the same day to replace the battery or unit itself.

However, every quarter, the control centre team contacts customers to remind them of the importance of testing.

On newer units, there is an automatic alert to the control centre, to advise if there is a fault or low signal. We have already upgraded a large number of customer's units (as required) and will be bringing forward our review of the remaining units in use.

We hope that this will reassure our existing community alarm customers that help will be available when they need it.

We are more than happy to speak to any customer or a member of their family who may be worried about their unit or any other aspect of our service.

FIONA LAW

Wyre Forest Community Housing

Foley Business Park

Kidderminster