Medication concerns raised after wife's pneumonia death

Gillian Grube, of Market Place, Penkridge, died on February 11 after being taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital for treatment having suffered a fall at home.

An inquest at Cannock Coroners Court heard Mrs Grube, who had suffered from Crohn's disease for 35 years, had fallen off a chair while her husband, Michael, was out of the front room.

Mr Grube returned after hearing a thud to see his wife lying on the floor in considerable pain. She was taken to hospital where it was confirmed she had suffered a fracture in her left leg.

Mr Grube expressed concern during the inquest that a combination of tramadol, tamazepam and codeine given to his wife, who died aged 67, during her stay at hospital, contributed to her death.

He said the medication caused her to feel so drowsy that she could not take part in physiotherapy sessions, which doctors admitted could have led to a build up of fluid on her lungs.

A letter written by Mr Grube, read out by coroners officer Simon Webster during the inquest, said: "Mr Grube feels his wife would still be alive today if she hadn't suffered the fracture to her leg. Concerns regarding prescription medication given to her were raised with hospital staff due to the fact she had suffered with Crohn's for a long time and had a poor immune system.

"He believes she should not have taken the drugs she was prescribed together."

Doctors said Mrs Grube had been prescribed the drugs before she was in hospital but admitted they could have spoken with her family before administering the medicine.

Mr Ashique Ali, an orthapedic consultant with the University Hospitals of North Midlands Trust, said: "

With hindsight, the administering of these drugs could have been discussed with the family but it is difficult to talk about these things so early on. Our main discussion centred on whether to operate or not."

Coroner Margaret Jones delivered a verdict that Mrs Grube died as a result of an accident.