AN 82-year-old woman died after refusing further treatment following a hip replacement operation, an inquest was told.

An inquest heard that Mary Elizabeth Johnson returned to her nursing home where she told staff she wanted to die, refused all help and refused to back into hospital.

Miss Johnson, of Springfield Cottage, Preston New Road, Blackburn, broke her hip in a fall on March 5 and was admitted to Blackburn Royal infirmary. Following a successful operation she was returned to the nursing home where she made her announcement on further treatment.

A post mortem examination revealed that Miss Johnson had died as a result of a pulmonary embolism as a result of deep vein thrombosis following immobility as a result of necessary surgery.

Deputy coroner Carolyn Singleton recorded a verdict that Miss Johnson had died as a result of a recognised complication of essential surgery.