DOCTORS who treated an 88-year-old Tetbury woman after a fall failed to spot she had eight broken ribs, an inquest heard.

But Gloucestershire Coroner Alan Crickmore said Merrel Coleman would still have died even if the fractures had been discovered.

Mrs Coleman died at BUPA care home Ilsom House, Tetbury, where she had lived for about two years after she started suffering from dementia along with existing conditions coeliac disease, high blood pressure, anxiety and osteoporosis.

Daughter Heather Evans said: "The staff were very kind but she had two falls in about three months and could not remember what had happened.

"Then one of the sisters rang to tell me she had had a fall on July 11. She was suffering from pain in her shoulder and arm."

Mrs Evans said she took her mother to the minor injuries unit at Cirencester Hospital.

"The doctor, Dr Davis, suspected a broken collar bone and sent her for x-rays," said Mrs Evans.

"Dr Davis did not examine her for other injuries. He did not take any history, check her blood pressure or temperature, and did not ask about her medication," she said.

She added her mother was seen by three GPs before her death and all failed to find the broken ribs.

Mrs Coleman deteriorated over the next two weeks and died on July 31.

"An x-ray showed a broken collar bone and I did not find any other injuries," said Dr Ian Davies.

He treated her for this injury but later discovered eight broken ribs.

Radiologist Dr Michael Brock reviewed the x-rays the following week and did not find any rib fractures but said these were often difficult to see.

Emergency care expert John Hayworth of Southampton Hospital said Dr Davis should have taken more details but the overall outcome would have been the same.

Summing up, Mr Crickmore said although Dr Davis failed Mrs Coleman in a number of ways, this had not made any difference and such an elderly lady would still have died.

"The opportunity for a full diagnosis was lost and the casual nature of his consultation is reflected in the sparse clinical record.

"Death occurred as a result of the rib fractures and I believe Mrs Coleman sustained these at the same time as the broken collar bone," he added.

Verdict: Accident.