The Department of Health came under intense critisism today, at an inquest into the death of an elderly woman from Maughold.

Seventy-eight year-old June Sheath died in April last year after falling over and suffering a head injury.

Matt Kennaugh was at today's hearing (text, below, from attached audio file):

The court heard how Mrs Sheath was admitted to Noble's Hospital on April 15, 2008 after falling backwards and hitting her head on concrete at her home in Maughold.

On initial inspection she was coherent and fully conscious, and following an X-ray it was discovered that she had not suffered any kind of skull fracture from her accident.

She was kept in for observation and it was recommended a CT scan should take place.

However, it was revealed at today's hearing that no such scan was done within the four hours it should have been carried out.

Mrs Sheath was readmitted three days later and a CT scan was then completed and it was discovered she had internal bleeding and brain swelling. She slipped into a coma and later died.

Although it was unlikely she would have survived surgery, according to the doctors, Coroner Michael Moyle said it was yet another example of sub-standard care and if a diagnosis had been made and her family had been aware of her condition they could have said their proper goodbyes.

The coroner attacked the DHSS saying the fact the scan wasn't undertaken when it should have been was 'shameful'.