A GRANDMOTHER who died in hospital days after being given an overdose of prescription drugs may have died anyway, an inquest heard.

Emily Welsh died in the University Hospital of North Durham, Durham City, in August 2008, five days after being admitted.

The 68-year-old was being treated for a blood clot, but suffered a stroke, which caused a chest infection and she died from a brain haemorrhage.

Hospital staff, including her doctors and ward nurses, and medical experts gave evidence at yesterday’s inquest.

Mrs Welsh, from Sherburn, County Durham, was admitted to ward 14 on August 19, 2008, with a blood clot in her left leg.

She had an operation and was prescribed two drugs, one to treat the clot and the second to stop the blood clotting.

She was given a regular dose of 25,000 units of the second drug, heparin. However, she had only been prescribed 2,500 units because it was being used with another drug.

Two nurses told the inquest they misread the dosage and were inexperienced in administering the other drug.

The heparin injections were stopped when her blood pressure dropped and doctors realised there had been an error.

She suffered a brain haemorrhage and died two days later.

Doctors told the inquest that the drug increased the risk of a haemorrhage, but that she would have been more susceptible anyway.

Deputy coroner Brenda Davidson recorded a verdict of death as a consequence of necessary medical intervention.

She said: “There were obviously potential problems with that treatment, even if administered correctly.

“The added issue is the fact was that part of the treatment was given incorrectly. Mrs Welsh was given a dosage of a much higher level than that prescribed by the doctors.”

A County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust spokeswoman said: “The trust is satisfied with the verdict of the inquest and wishes again to express its condolences to the family of Mrs Welsh.

“In line with procedure, a full internal investigation was carried out following this tragic case. An action plan was developed to ensure the trust was able to take into account any lessons learnt and changes have since been made to related protocols.”