POLICE have been asked to investigate a possible forgery at a Kirklees hospital.
A signature on a discharge notice at Dewsbury District Hospital is at the centre of the inquiry.
Coroner Roger Whittaker heard evidence that the signature was not that of Wanda ‘Jenny’ Murphy, who died at the hospital last August.
Mr Whittaker called for the police to start inquiries after recording a verdict of accidental death in which neglect contributed.
Mrs Murphy, 78, of Brunswick Street, Dewsbury, had been in the hospital after collapsing on holiday. She suffered bronchial pneumonia.
During the hearing there were claims that Mrs Murphy’s signature on a discharge form had been forged.
Her daughter, Mrs Fran Simpson, said the signature did not correspond with her mother’s normal handwriting.
Police officers had interviewed staff at the hospital about the note.
Mr Whittaker said: “I want to refer this case back to West Yorkshire Police.
“I think it is appropriate they should look at it for perjury during this inquest”.
He said he was satisfied after hearing from a forensic scientist that the signature was not that of Mrs Murphy.
He added: “I don’t accept the evidence of Staff Nurse Nichola Royal or Dr Rohit Sinha that she discharged herself. Wanda Murphy’s signature was a cynical attempt to show the contrary”.
The coroner also urged medical authorities to investigate the actions of Dr Sinha and Staff Nurse Royal.
Hospital chief nurse Tracey McErlain-Burns said: “I have offered my genuine apologies to Mrs Murphy’s family for the additional distress they have been through.
“We will now carefully consider the findings of the inquest and I give Mrs Murphy’s family my personal commitment that we will take any action that needs to be taken”.
