The death of a woman in a Wiltshire nursing home was due to heart disease, a coroner has ruled.

Thora Gillen, a 78-year-old retired care worker, died at Hays House nursing home in Sedgemoor, Wiltshire, on August 4, 2023.

An inquest into her death held on Friday, October 11 heard concern was raised by Wiltshire registrars when her death certificate mentioned 'fractures' which were sustained after multiple falls in the hospital.

Senior coroner, David Ridley concluded that Ms Gillen's death was natural and the fracture was not related nor should it have been mentioned on the death certificate.

"Thora was originally admitted to Southampton General Hospital in 2022 with a history of being unwell," explained the coroner.

"She was then moved to Salisbury District Hospital and sadly she had a fall on one of the wards which resulted in a serious fracture.

"That was operated on February 16 and the operation was successful.

"She was then discharged to a nursing home in Sedgehill."

Thora, who was born in Portsmouth, was the widow of Malcolm Gillen, a retired prison officer, and her children attended the inquest.

The court heard that Thora had three falls in hospital and her family feared her decline came about after the third fall.

But Coroner Ridley added: "Her doctor was contacted by the coroner's office about how Thora's fracture had contributed to her death and after reflection, he said it didn't.

"An expert opinion was also sought out from Dr John, a pathologist at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon, who said he would not have added the fracture as a contributing factor to her cause of death.

"You are still able to raise concerns with the hospital about her falls if you wish to, but I have to deal with the facts and the cause of death.

"Therefore I have to conclude that Thora Gillen's death was a natural one caused by heart disease, with contributing illnesses such as type two diabetes.

"I will remove mention of her fracture from the death certificate."