A PENSIONER died in hospital weeks after banging her head when she fell at her nursing home, an inquest heard.

Georgina Thompson, 95, bruised her head and grazed her hand last year, at Wellburn House Residential Home, in Stockton.

Teesside Coroner's Court heard yesterday how the widow was checked by senior care assistants at the home, who decided there was no serious cause for concern.

She was seen later that day by a district nurse, who said Mrs Thompson was her normal normal self and showed no signs of major injuries.

The inquest into Mrs Thompson's death, on July 17 last year, heard how a bruise developed on her head over the following weeks.

Care assistant Jean Lowe said Mrs Thompson, who had been a resident at the home for about a year, had appeared well since the fall.

But on July 14, she said the pensioner complained of feeling ill and a doctor was called.

Mrs Lowe told the hearing: "Mrs Thompson seemed fine during breakfast.

"It was later that day when she said she felt poorly. I noticed her head had slumped on to her chest and I knew something was wrong."

After being told there would be a delay for a doctor, carers dialled 999 and Mrs Thompson was taken to the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton. Mrs Thompson's condition deteriorated rapidly and she died on July 17.

Dr Matthew Rutter, from the hospital, said it was believed Mrs Thompson was suffering from a subdural haematoma, bleeding from the brain, following the fall on July 1.

Home office pathologist Christopher Rettman said the cause of Mrs Thompson's death was a subdural haematoma and the most likely cause was when Mrs Thompson bumped her head.

He said: "A subdural haematoma is a blood clot which forms underneath one of the protective layers that cover the brain. This type of bleed is associated with trauma such as a fall, an assault or a road accident."

Teesside Assistant Deputy Coroner Tony Eastwood recorded a verdict of accidental death.