AN ELDERLY woman died 17 days after a fall in a nursing home, an inquest has heard.

Rose Imms, 91, a resident of Izzard House, Glebe House Drive, Hayes, was found by an employee who heard shouts coming from a shared room.

Croydon Coroner's Court heard how Sam Crossingham found Mrs Imms, who had progressive dementia, on the floor with blood on her face.

She said: "Rose was not really able to tell me what had happened, although she was conscious."

Mrs Imms, previously of Elmcroft Road, Orpington, was taken to the Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough, to have stitches on August 3.

But her condition deteriorated as she waited in the hospital to return to the home.

She was taken back to A&E but died on August 20 due to the head injury she suffered in the fall.

On January 17 coroner Selina Lynch recorded a verdict that Mrs Imms' death was accidental.

She said Mrs Imms had been prone to falls and the dementia she suffered made it almost impossible for staff to negotiate with her.