A PENSIONER admitted to Kent and Canterbury Hospital suffering from pneumonia was dead within 48 hours after drinking hospital strength antiseptic.

An inquest into the death of 84-year-old Donald Gutsell heard he had died of pneumonia and a form of dementia, but the ingestion of Hibiscrub had contributed to his death.

The inquest on Thursday heard that Mr Gutsell, who had been briefly living at the Oakfield House care home in Wingham, was admitted on June 7 with chest problems.

The following day his health had improved.

A staff nurse collected medication necessary for the hospital's MRSA regime, and left a bottle of Hibiscrub on Mr Gutsell's table which was moved away from his bed in the clinical decision unit.

The nurse left him while she collected towels ready for his MRSA control bath, but was briefly detained at the nurses' station.

When she returned, she found Mr Gutsell had removed the cellophane wrapper, broken the carton seal and drunk a small amount of Hibiscrub. He was foaming at the mouth.

His family was contacted and staff used suction to try and drain the antiseptic. He was given a chest x-ray, oxygen, nebulisers and antibiotics.

The following day his condition deteriorated, and he died.

Pathologist Dr Nipin Bagla said Mr Gutsell's pneumonia had been an ongoing problem but the Hibiscrub had made his condition worse.

He said: "They tried to suck out all the Hibiscrub but he wasn't tolerating it well.

"It was not the quantity that was the trouble, it was the irritant effect of the antiseptic."

North east Kent Coroner Rebecca Cobb said the chemicals contributed to his death.

She said: "Having been admitted to hospital with an episode of pneumonia he had appeared to be improving until he ingested some Hibiscrub while briefly unattended, despite the container not being immediately close to hand and the seal needed to be broken.

"From that point on, his condition worsened."

Verdict: Narrative