Long term use of prescribed painkillers led an 81-year-old to suffer a fatal internal rupture and die while in the care of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital last year, an inquest has heard.

At a pre-inquest review into the death of Colin Park, from Chilterns End, Gressenhall, on March 26 last year, area coroner Yvonne Blake said she would be considering the effect of 'continuous prescribing' of naproxen without gastric protection, as well as nursing practices and training and knowledge of nursing staff at the hospital.

Mr Park had undergone an elective hip replacement on March 10 at the N&N. Just over two weeks later, his wife reported he was not feeling well and had begun vomiting blood, the inquest heard.

The cause of death was given as a gastrointestinal haemorrhage due to an ulcer and long term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The full inquest will be held on August 23 and 24.