A hospital patient was mistakenly given antipsychotic drugs after a mix-up by staff, an inquest heard.

Doctors at Eastbourne District General Hospital (EDGH) only discovered 80-year-old Iela Miller was taking the wrong medication when her daughter noticed the error.

East Sussex Coroner Alan Craze said the pensioner died in hospital almost six weeks after the mistake.

But he did not blame the mix-up for her death.

Mr Craze added that it was an "embarrassing and serious error" on behalf of staff at the hospital.

He adjourned the inquest, which was due to finish yesterday, to allow hospital staff to give clear evidence to show how procedures have changed since the mistake.

The inquest at Eastbourne Magistrates' Court was told the mistake was most likely to have been made when Mrs Miller, of Manor Road in Eastbourne, was moved to a different ward on February 16 last year.

The error was discovered by Wendy Santos, the former assistant matron's daughter, on February 22, although Mrs Miller did not die until April 9.

While visiting her mother, Mrs Santos noticed there were two drug charts with her name on.

She did not recognise the names of the drugs indicated on the second chart and told ward sister Joanna Ince, who then contacted a doctor.

The label was then peeled off Mrs Miller's drug chart to reveal another patient's name.

The inquest heard the drugs on the chart were to treat psychosis and depression.

Mrs Ince yesterday admitted Mrs Miller had been given the wrong medication.

She said the system of using several drug charts for a single patient could be confusing.

Mr Craze added: "It is a system where an accident is waiting to happen."

However, according to the coroner, the mix-up was not the cause of Mrs Miller's death.

Consultant pathologist Dr Andrew Rainey said Mrs Miller had been treated in the EDGH to have fluid removed from her chest cavity.

However, he said she was obese and the most likely cause of death was cardiac failure due to an enlarged heart.

Mr Craze concluded: "The verdict will be death from natural causes."

The inquest is due to recommence in six weeks' time.

andy.robbins @theargus.co.uk A HOSPITAL patient was mistakenly given antipsychotic drugs after a mix-up by staff, an inquest heard.

Doctors at Eastbourne District General Hospital (EDGH) only discovered 80-year-old Iela Miller was taking the wrong medication when her daughter noticed the error.