THE FAMILY of a great great grandmother who died in hospital protested that her death was ‘swept under the rug’.

At the inquest into the death of 88-year-old Catherine Hindle, her son Philip placed a dustpan and brush on Coroner Michael Singleton’s table, while he was out of the room considering his verdict.

The family then left without hearing the findings that the former weaver died of pneumonia, COPD and schematic heart disease following a hip operation.

They have previously lodged an official complaint against East Lancashires Hospitals Trust after claiming they were not notified of her death promptly and were unhappy with her care.

A Royal Blackburn Hospital consultant who spoke at the hearing said the hip injury was a ‘serious blow’ for a woman her age.

The post mortem also found the Blackburn woman had suffered from a pre-existing heart condition she was unaware of.

However her family voiced concerns throughout the proceedings that her care was inadequate.

At Blackburn Coroner’s Court, Mrs Hindle’s sons and daughter quizzed counsultant Shivashanker Aithal. They claimed their mother was moved several times, left without food and water and that they were not informed when her condition became critical.

Her eldest son Philip said: “Her emergency button was too far away from her and we had to bring her in food and water. Her lips were all dried up.”

Mr Aithal said he had found Mrs Hindle well and comfortable during rounds and that notes from the nurses station recorded food and water on days she was not linked to an IV.

He said: “Breaking the hip was a major trauma for a lady of this age. Ten per cent of elderly patients die within thirty days and 30 per cent within the year.”

He said notes showed when her condition worsened, the landline of her next of kin was attempted and the police were also informed as per procedure.

Mrs Hindle’s children had earlier contacted the Lancashire Telegraph to claim they did not find out for seven hours.

When Coroner Michael Singleton left to consider his verdict, Mr Hindle placed the dustpan and brush on his table.

He said: “They are brushing this under the table”.

Addressing doctors and hospital trust staff in the room, he added: “Thanks to you lot, we will be celebrating Mother’s Day by placing flowers on her grave.”

Miss Hindle leaves two sons, a daughter, 17 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and a great great grandson.