Woman, 96, died after hitting head at Russells Hall Hospital

Thelma McDermott, 96, suffered an acute subdural hematoma after falling in an emergency care ward at Russells Hall Hospital on August 25.

She had been taken to the hospital for the second time in two days, the first after falling in her room at Prestwood House Nursing Home in Stourbridge, the second after staff at the home became worried about her.

After nurses rushed to her aid, Mrs McDermott was assessed by doctors who consulted with Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. It was agreed that her injuries were too severe for her to be saved. She was taken back to Prestwood House where she died on August 29.

A statement from Dr Joanne Taylor, an emergency care consultant from Russell's Hall Hospital was read out to the court.

It said: "Mrs McDermott had fallen against a wall at the care home and hit her head.

"She was assessed by care staff and taken to the hospital. She was checked over, and it was agreed that she could go back to the care home.

"The following day she was taken back to the hospital by care staff who said that she wasn't her normal self. They felt she was more agitated and confused than normal. But she did appear to be steady on her feet."

It went on to say that Mrs McDermott was assessed by an emergency care doctor, and it was agreed she would be kept in overnight.

At about 4.36am she had been staying in a ward in the emergency care department and had been lying on a bed with the rails down.

A loud crash was heard and Mrs McDermott was found on the floor. She had a laceration on her head.

She was taken for a CT scan and found to have an acute subdural hematoma.

It was suggested that she may have been reaching for pull-cord to get a nurses attention.

Nurse Martin Gallagher said that Mrs McDermott had been given anti-slip socks to wear to stop her slipping over, and the rails had been lowered on her bed for safety reasons.

He said: "The rails are not on the bed to restrain patients, they are there to stop patients rolling over the side and falling out in their sleep. If a patient wants to get off the bed the rails are lowered, because its less distance for them to fall."

He also said that dementia patients are generally allowed to get up and walk around the ward providing there is no danger to themselves or others.

He added: "The guidelines are there to help the patients feel more comfortable and safer.

"There was no explanation as to why she had fallen. She was in a confused state."

Jane Pugh, lead nurse for the emergency care department at Russells Hall Hospital, said: "The hospital is currently investigating whether more formal risk assessments should be made and whether bed or chair alarms should be installed."

Joanne McDermott, Mrs McDermott's daughter-in-law, claimed that doctors told her that it was their fault, but no evidence of this was offered.

Andrew Haigh, Senior Coroner for South Staffordshire, said: "Thelma was 96-year-old and led a very interesting and full life. She was generally in good health but did suffer from dementia which was getting worse.

"The bang on the head was a major factor in her death. The fall and the head injury is a significant factor. This was not a natural death.

"I don't order the hospital to carry out a further report as I have already heard that staff are looking at different options."

He delivered a narrative conclusion, saying she was a lady who was unwell who had a fall in hospital.