AN ELDERLY woman died on Christmas Day from pneumonia after suffering two falls in hospital, an inquest heard.

Elizabeth Wood, 88, who had lived in Barrow all her life, was admitted to Furness General with poor heart function and had continuing issues with her sodium level when she was there, the hearing at Barrow Town Hall was told.

The Risedale Road resident first fell on December 1 and her daughters Lilian, Margaret, and Maureen raised a number of concerns about what hospital staff did to prevent a second fall.

Her second fall on December 14 caused the most damage as she suffered a haemorrhage due to impact to her head, according to Doctor Gillian Cook’s statement.

Dr Cook was the consultant on Ward Six where Mrs Wood, who was known as Betty, was. She said: “She was waiting for a scan on her heart and had a low sodium level, which stayed at a level that was too low. After the fall a doctor found evidence of pneumonia, which got worse, and that was a reflection of her lack of mobility.”

Asked if the fall led to her death Dr Cook said: “It is hard to say but you have to link the two.”

Matron Yvonne Goodrick and ward manager Elizabeth Heffernan admitted there was a lack of documentation as they were not sure if Mrs Wood had a rail or not.

Ms Heffernan said: “It was felt that those in the supervision bay were more unpredictable.”

The inquest heard this meant Mrs Wood had to stay on Ward Six. Coroner Simon Ward said: “It was seen that Betty was not suitable for supervision bay but that would not necessarily have made a difference. There was a lack of things done to prevent this happening again as well as a lack of documentation."