A care home resident who was judged to be "very high risk" died after suffering a fall while alone in its garden, an inquest has heard.

Edith Alden, known to those close to her as Bunny, died in hospital 12 days after falling in the garden of The Limes care home in Hellesdon. 

An inquest into her death heard that 89-year-old Mrs Alden was found on the patio floor of the home in Drayton Wood Road by staff after having left unescorted through a fire exit.

She had been a resident of the home for four months, having initially been admitted for a week of respite care due to being "very high risk of falls".

Her fall came on September 13, 2021, shortly before 8.30pm, while workers at the home were in a handover between day and night staff.

She was found after one of the carers heard a shout and rushed through, discovering her collapsed on the floor with blood pouring from her head.

Charlie Cole, a senior care assistant at the home, told the court in evidence that she phoned 999 immediately and that workers had helped her back inside the building and into a recliner chair - despite the advice of an ambulance call handler not to move her.

She said: "She was crying, she was upset and asking to go inside so we did what we felt was best for her."

Once indoors, Mrs Alden's condition deteriorated, but it was not until 10.45pm that an ambulance arrived to take her to hospital - with Miss Cole making two further calls.

She died on September 25, 2021.

The inquest was resuming following an adjournment several months earlier after police were asked to investigate whether any criminal offences had occurred.

However, Det Insp Rachel Bell said investigations had found nobody criminally responsible for her death.

The inquest continues.