AN 85-year-old woman died after she choked on her roast dinner at a Leominster nursing home, an inquest heard this week.

Rosemary Allwright, a resident at the Forbury Nursing Home, was rushed to the county hospital after she choked on her food on August 6 2002.

Evidence given by pathologist, Dr Frank McGinty revealed that Mrs Allwright suffered with dementia similar to that of Alzheimer's and she died of asphyxia.

Designated care manager, Louise Millar told how a risk assessment carried out on Mrs Allwright ensured that due to her dementia, staff cut up her food and kept an eye on her during mealtimes.

Summing up

"I don't think they could have done anything different. They reacted very well and phoned the emergency services," she said of her staff.

Mrs Allwright's family was also satisfied that staff at the care home 'did everything they could have done'.

In summing up coroner, David Halpern said Mrs Allwright appeared to be in a fairly frail condition and had a number of problems.

He continued: "We don't know why this incident arose but it did. The staff were unable to do a great deal - they immediately got her into hospital and all efforts were made to remove the food."

Mr Halpern recorded a verdict of accidental death.