Errors made by hospital staff caused a "well-loved" grandmother, originally admitted with a hip problem, to die from a "massive" stroke, an inquest has found.

Koshalaya Sawhney, 85, of Bowness Road, Bexleyheath, died on January 18 last year at Darent Valley Hospital, after suffering a brain haemorrhage and falling into a coma.

Mrs Sawhney had been taken to A&E on January 7 with a locked hip that left her unable to move.

Daughter Viniti Seabrooke told North West Coroners, prior to going to hospital, her mother did not have any major health problems. 

However during her stay she was given new medication after developing a urinary infection and suffering from constipation.  

The coroner ruled it was because hospital staff failed to monitor this medication, given to Mrs Sawhney alongside her regular medication - including anticoagulant Warferin - that caused her to suffer a brain haemorrhage on January 13.

She fell into a coma and died five days later, on January 18.

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Koshalaya Sawhney

Mrs Seabrooke told the court: "On Monday February 13 we got a phone call saying mum was ill and unresponsive.

"We were informed that mum had had a massive stroke.

"I was very unhappy. I was desperately unhappy. My mum had no history of strokes.

"As a family we were absolutely devastated.

"There were huge, huge numbers of discrepancies in her treatment. Huge errors in the medication being given."

She alleged the unsatisfactory care from staff at Darent Valley Hospital amounted to an unlawful killing.

However while corner Roger Hatch admitted failures by hospital staff caused the death, he said it did not meet the required level of proof to warrant such a conclusion.

He added he would be making a report on the case to avoid similar failures in the future.

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A statement issued by Darent Valley Hospital said: "We offer our sincere condolences and unreserved apologies to the family and friends of Mrs Koshalaya Sawhney.

"This was an extremely sad incident and one that resulted in a thorough review of Mrs Sawhney’s care while she was with us.

"We have done much to tighten our procedures and improve the way patients on Warfarin are monitored and managed at this hospital.

"A new Trust wide anticoagulant policy has been implemented and the standard operating procedures in pathology have been amended and updated.

"The nursing documentation has also been reviewed and updated and medical handovers are now recorded electronically for accurate, fast and easy reference.

"We completely understand the family’s distress and anger at losing their loved one and fully accept the coroner’s findings."