Wylam grandmother's chronic hip pain led to death, inquest told

Sharon Lamb's condition quickly deteriorated hours after being discharged

A grandmother due to have a replacement hip died in her husband's arms after suffering chronic pain, an inquest has heard.

Sharon Lamb, 63, from Wylam, died a day after being treated at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) on 19 May last year.

Husband David Lamb told the inquest in Morpeth he felt she was "hurried" by accident and emergency staff.

Dr Clive Bloxham said deaths linked to chronic pain were "very rare".

Mrs Lamb, a former fitness instructor, had been described by her family as fit and with no serious health issues, apart from requiring a new hip.

She had been admitted to the RVI's accident and emergency for joint pain from osteoarthritis, but was discharged with painkillers on the same evening.

'Baffled'

Mr Lamb told the inquest she remained in severe pain once back at home, and could not put any weight on her right side, prompting a call to the NHS 111 helpline.

He then called 999 who advised him to carry out CPR as she stopped breathing. Despite his efforts, she died at their home at about 04:30.

He added that he was "baffled" after she was discharged in her condition.

Dr Bloxham compared Mrs Lamb's death to takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which can be caused by emotional or physical stress and is also known as broken heart syndrome.

At the inquest, he said he believed Mrs Lamb's death was caused from acute cardiac arrhythmia due to "acute or chronic hip pain", which he had not seen in his career.

The hearing was adjourned until January.