A 70-YEAR-OLD woman died after she fell off her bed while she was being cared for, an inquest heard.

Elizabeth Constable received care from Southern Health in her home at Wantage Road, Didcot.

The inquest at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court heard that support worker Julie Moore was washing and dressing Ms Constable for the day on July 6, but when Ms Moore went to get suncream Ms Constable fell about 3.5ft off her bed.

The pensioner was taken to hospital and discharged about 3pm.

Ms Constable was rushed to hospital again later that day because she was slipping in and out of consciousness, the court heard.

Her condition deteriorated and she died on July 10 at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital.

In a statement Maria Burns, support manager with Southern Health, recalled talking to Ms Moore about the incident.

She said she asked if the sides of the bed had been put up while Ms Moore went to get the suncream and Ms Moore replied she had not put them up.

In a statement, Ms Moore said: “I am devastated by losing her.”

Oxfordshire Coroner Darren Salter said of the Southern Health investigation into the death: “One of the lessons learned is personal care should be delivered in a consistent way.

“Managers should consistently check staff are working in a consistent manner that provides the best possible support.”

Ms Constable’s cause of death was bronchial pneumonia due to a fracture of the neck.

Mr Salter said: “The fall from her bed did cause the death sadly.”

But he added: “I have seen the investigation reports from Southern Health.

“I am satisfied that issues have been identified and are being dealt with to the extent that is necessary.”

Mr Salter recorded a verdict that Ms Constable died as a result of an accident.