An elderly hospital patient died soon after being given someone else's medication by mistake, an inquest was told.

Sarah Jane Hastie, 84, collapsed nine hours after the mix-up took place at Airedale Hospital last November. The widowed mother-of-four, who had a history of high blood pressure, died from heart disease.

Although the inquest heard that the mistake was not believed to have caused Mrs Hastie's death, coroner Roger Whittaker said there were lessons to be learned.

Bradford Coroner's Court was told the mix-up had occurred when a nurse was asked to help out on a ward.

Staff nurse Janice Illingworth described in a statement read to the hearing how she administered medication from a drug trolley while she was relying on a member of staff to help her identify the patients.

When she realised she had made the mistake, she informed the ward manager and the house officer. The pensioner was then monitored, but it was felt the drugs were unlikely to have a detrimental effect on her.

Mrs Hastie, who was moved to the hospital after she became verbally and physically abusive with staff at a residential home, had been wearing an identity tag.

But the inquest heard there was no policy at Airedale Hospital to ensure all patients on that psychiatric ward had one.

Mr Whittaker said the maladministration of drugs was a mistake, but he accepted it did not play a part in the death.

He said: "I'm pleased it has been ruled out. In some respects, this was a coincidental situation that she died nine hours after the administration of those drugs which were prescribed to another."

Mr Whittaker intends writing to the hospital, stressing lessons should be learned.

He added: "In future, this specific form of identity tag should be checked by those charged with the responsibility of administering drugs."

He recorded a verdict of death from natural causes on Mrs Hastie, of Morton Close Residential Home, Morton.

Bradford District Care Trust said after the inquest: "In line with national guidelines, the trust has a robust policy concerning the administration of drugs.

"We will await the coroner's comments and ensure that any lessons which may be learned are acted upon."