Woman broke neck at hospital

A Shropshire grandmother suffered a broken neck when she fell off a commode while left alone at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital, an inquest heard today. She was found lying on the ground.

Mrs Jillian Hall, 69, was found by hospital staff on December 30 last year and immediately moved into intensive care.

But her condition deteriorated and she died on March 8 leaving behind her husband of 49 years, Stanley, as well as two daughters, a son and five grandchildren.

Consultant pathologist Dr Kenneth Scott said Mrs Hall, who was admitted to the hospital with a chest infection on Christmas day, had brittle bones due to osteoporosis and would not have had to fall violently to sustain a fracture.

He said the cause of death was bronchopneumonia due to immobilisation due to a broken neck.

Mrs Hall, of Boulton Grange, Randlay, Telford, had been left unable to move after her fall.

Mr Michael Gwynne, Telford & Wrekin coroner, was hearing expert evidence regarding Mrs Hall's death in a day-long inquest at Telford County Court today.

The inquest is the latest hearing into what Mr Gwynne has called a "spate" of fatal falls at the hospital.

Jackie Jones, Mrs Hall's eldest daughter, said the family hoped the inquest would answer a number of questions.

Before today's hearing, she said: "The family want to know why she was left alone on the commode when the nursing staff knew she had such swollen legs, was clearly unwell and had not slept or eaten for days."

The hearing continues.