WEDS PM: Pensioner burnt on care home commode died of natural causes: Inquest

Jun 17 2009 By Andrew Jackson

Mr Whittaker said: "Having reviewed the medical evidence, it is quite clear there is no causal relationship between the burns she suffered in the nursing home from being left on the commode... and her ultimate cause of death.

"The burns she sustained on that occasion were healing, no relation to the cause of her death, that is abundantly clear."

Mrs Smith's son, Rodney, expressed his relief today that the inquest was complete.

"Despite this verdict of natural causes, and despite the outcome of the trial earlier this year, I am relieved that the inquest is now over," he said.

"What my mother went through in the lead-up to her death was horrific -made all the worse by the fact that no-one could explain to her why she was in such pain.

"Her Alzheimer's meant she had no idea what had happened to her and of course meant she could not tell us."

Mrs Smith's family are pursuing civil action against the care home.