HOSPITAL staff could not have prevented the death of an elderly Andover woman who died just days after sustaining brain injuries in a fall, an inquest has heard.

Coroner Grahame Short recorded an accidental death during the inquest of 86-year-old Olive Martin, who died of pneumonia following a fall at Andover War Memorial Hospital in October last year.

The retired secretary, who suffered from dementia, sustained substantial injuries to her brain during the incident, which took place at the Charlton Road hospital on October 28, 2015.

Mrs Martin, who had been at the hospital since early October due to a previous fall, later died on November 4 from a combination of pneumonia, Alzheimer’s disease, heart complications and the injuries to her brain.

At the time of the fall Mrs Martin was sitting in the nurse’s station as she had become agitated and had continually tried to move out of bed.

Mrs Martin attempted to get up from her seat but quickly stumbled and banged her head on the floor, knocking her unconscious.

Nurses treated her injuries and she became concious again ten minutes later before being taken to the emergency department at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.

After scans of her brain Mrs Martin was sent back to Andover War Memorial Hospital where doctors discussed with family members the likelihood that she would not recover.

Following continuous observations it became clear that Mrs Martin’s condition had become terminal and she died at the hospital shortly after.

The inquest heard how staff at the hospital had followed ‘proper procedure’ while caring for Mrs Martin.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust medical consultant, Dr James Croft-Baker explained: “She was distressed and she had symptoms of distress throughout her time with us. She wanted to get up generally.

“That night she was moved to sit next to the nurses station where she could be supervised.

“What we would do is take her for a supervised walk around the ward but in this situation the action taken seemed the most reasonable thing to do.”

Coroner Grahame Short agreed with Mr Croft-Baker’s assessment and ruled that the staff were unable to prevent Mrs Martin from falling.

He said: “Listening to the evidence I do not think anyone could have done anything within reason to prevent an incident of this kind.

“Nurses cannot restrain patients in their care and it is obviously fundamental for patients that they are able to move around at times.

“It is a very unfortunate event but I find it was an accident.”

The family told the Andover Advertiser that Mrs Martin is sadly missed.