Christina Leaper's family describe anguish of four-year wait for inquest verdict

The family of a frail grandmother who died after falling from her hospital bed have criticised the care she received, the Gazette reports today.

Christina Leaper was 88 when she died in January 2011 after receiving care at the Redcar Primary Care Hospital.

A resumed inquest held at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Monday heard that Mrs Leaper had died from a subdural hematoma - bleeding on the brain - a week after she fell from her hospital bed.

But the family have also criticised the near four-year wait for the inquest to be heard in full.

Mrs Leaper’s family said in a statement after this week's hearing: “The family are relieved that the inquest into our mother’s death has finally been heard, nearly four years after her death.

“As well as having to wait such a lengthy period, the family have had to suffer hearing details from witnesses, including the pathologist, on two occasions now as the first inquest was adjourned halfway through due to some witnesses not turning up.

“Since that time, the previous coroner has retired and the family were informed that there were no facilities to play the recordings made from the first inquest and therefore the proceedings had to begin afresh.

"The family had also incurred legal representation costs for the first unresolved inquest.

“However we appreciate the apology from (acting Teesside coroner Clare) Bailey over the length of time we have had to wait.

“As well as this additional strain, the family are still struggling to wipe away the memories of their mother’s final week.

“We are dismayed that a lot of the witnesses could not recollect details about my mother’s care which are still crystal clear in our minds.

“Unfortunately, but understandably, her family have now lost total faith in the whole of the medical profession.

“It is very difficult for the family to come to terms with what happened.

"Their grief and emotions relating to losing their beloved mother have been multiplied a thousand times due to this.

“Nobody deserves to have their life end in such a tragic and traumatic way and the family sincerely hope that the NHS do their utmost to ensure that similar instances do not happen again to cause another family such terrible distress and anguish.”