AN ELDERLY man fell out of an Eltham nursing home bed twice in one day and died a week later, an inquest heard.

William Donaldson, 82, who suffered from confusion and dementia was a resident at The Oaks home, in Sidcup Road.

On April 26, this year, Mr Donaldson went to bed early.

Staff nurse Juliet Muzazawi said: "I heard him scream, so I rushed to his bedroom. I found him on the floor."

He was put back to bed but fell out again three hours later. He was taken to hospital but died on May 3.

The home had considered fitting cot sides to his bed but decided against it because if patients climbed out they would fall even further.

A post mortem revealed he suffered a brain haemorrhage. The cause of death was a combination of factors including pneumonia and colon cancer.

Coroner Selena Lynch said: "We cannot tie patients to the bed. That's what we did in the old days. Now there are sensors but it is very difficult to keep them in beds."

She recorded a verdict of death by natural causes, contributed to by a fall.

July 9, 2002 12:30