An inquest investigating how a pensioner died after being punched by another pensioner has recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Reginald Homewood, 89, of Ryde Road, Brighton, was discovered lying unconscious in a pool of blood in the Brunswick ward at the Nevill Hospital, Laburnum Avenue, Hove, on September 27.

He had been punched by a 73-year-old patient in a disused bathroom at the hospital, which deals with people suffering dementia, and died days later at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.

Brighton and Hove coroner Veronica Hamilton Deeley ruled the death was accidental and Sussex Partnership NHS Trust has now instigated sweeping changes to try and ensure it could never happen again.

Richard Ford, Executive Director for Services in Brighton and Hove, said: "I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Mr Homewood's family.

"We have made significant changes to the way Brunswick ward operates as a result of this dreadful incident.

"We have reviewed the leadership to ensure that the excellent and hard working staff on the ward are properly supported".

It was revealed during the inquest that the73-year-old known as RJ was seen rushing from the unlocked bathroom where Mr Homewood was found and later admitted punching him.

The bathroom had been out of order for more than a year and was used to store mattresses, spare equipment and trolleys but staff said RJ, whose bedroom was opposite and who had a history of unpredictable, aggressive and violent behaviour, sometimes used its toilet.

Among the changes now being made, the number of beds on the Brunswick ward has since been reduced from 20 to 15.

New managerial roles have been created, staff have been retrained and £150,000 has been put aside to refurbish the hospital.

A spokesman for the NHS trust said after inquest verdict: "Immediately following the incident we commissioned an independent external review to examine the systems, structures and processes in operation at Nevill Hospital.

"As a result of this external review an action plan was developed and a number of changes have been made to how the ward operates. We are also making sure that the learning is shared across the trust."