AN INQUEST into the death of an 88-year-old Almondsbury man has concluded it was "accidental" despite concerns over nursing care in the days before his death.

Donald Ward, a resident of Woodlands Park retirement community, passed away on August 8 last year, five days after being admitted to Southmead Hospital having injured himself in a fall at home.

Mr Ward’s cause of death was confirmed at today’s inquest by assistant coroner Dr Peter Harrowing as a bleed to the brain, sustained by the fall.

While the death was deemed accidental, concerns were raised over practices in observing and treating Mr Ward after he was transferred to the complex care ward of the hospital without the correct handover procedure being done.

Criticism was also made of nurses in the ward, Gate 28A, who failed to act when Mr Ward could not be brought back to consciousness, after an administrative error resulted in him being given two doses of strong painkillers in a short space of time.

Evidence was given by Dr Kieran Flanagan Dr Rachel Trenaman, and staff nurses Rajapriya Devaraj and Joyamol Joseph who had all examined Mr Ward during his time in Southmead, giving their account of events.

Dr Jarrod Richards, NHS North Bristol Trust lead for care of the elderly, also presented evidence, and having reviewed the medical files of the case said he felt that, had a CT scan been taken of Mr Ward’s head sooner, surgical intervention would still not have been an option.

The court heard that steps were being taken to improveme the system, with Dr Richards explaining that said that proposals for staff to flag up issues were being explored.

Meanwhile Louise Thompson, sister for Gate 28A said that an action plan had been created and was being carried out to ensure staff were all fully aware of how to escalate cases.

In his closing statements, Dr Harrowing said: “Had such a scan been carried out, on the balance of probabilities, that would have pointed out the bleed.

“However, the evidence that Dr Richards has brought today suggests that even if that scan had been carried out at the time, or even earlier despite there being no indication to do so, surgical intervention would not have been of any use.

“Furthermore even an earlier recognition of the bleed would not have provided any opportunity for medical treatment, there being no medical treatment for such a condition.

“The cause of Mr Ward’s demise was started at the time of his fall when he struck his head. It was only a minor head injury but it was sufficient and had such a catastrophic effect.”

“The care given to Mr Ward during the time he was at Southmead Hospital, and indeed the time he was in Gate 28A has given me cause for concern.

He went on to say that there had been a serious underestimation of his condition by those nurses that saw him.

He said: "None of them in their evidence questioned whether there was an alternative reason for his diminished consciousness.

“They should have recognised the deterioration in his condition and summoned medical attention sooner.

“However even if they had done so the outcome would still be the same.”