A meals-on-wheels worker died from a rare ‘talk an

A meals-on-wheels worker died from a rare ‘talk and die’ syndrome after falling in hospital, an inquest heard.

Jeanette Courtman’s condition was named because the sufferer appears normal as their brain leaks fatal amounts of blood.

Her husband had seen the 56-year-old on the day of her death and said Mrs Courtman appeared ‘quite well.

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Southwark Coroner’s Court heard how Mrs Courtman was admitted to Kings College hospital feeling feverish.

She was later found to have a series of illnesses including diabetes, a diseased liver and breast cancer.

Staff nurse Erica Watt said she saw the patient fall on her back at 10.

40am on 14 January, 2001.

‘I saw the patient sitting on the floor looking very agitated,’ she told the hearing.

But later Mrs Courtman appeared to have recovered, and husband Alfred of (13) Hothfield Place, Rotherhithe, said ‘she was quite well’.

He added that the fall was her fourth in the hospital, including one on a staircase.

A few hours later Mrs Courtman was unconscious and she died on January 16.

Dr Safa Al-Sarraj explained internal bleeding in the brain could gradually build up to fatal levels.

‘Talk and die’ was occasionally seen in boxers who appear fit and healthy after a bout, but die in their homes from the undiagnosed bleeding.

The doctor said he was not surprised Mrs Courtman had appeared normal hours before.

She had been taking drugs to prevent blood clotting – which meant bleeding was difficult to stop.

‘We call it the talk and die scenario,’ the doctor said.

Coroner Selena Lynch said: ‘She was obviously very poorly.

I’ve no doubt at all the fall she had on 14 January is the culprit.

‘Her death was accidental due to the fall.

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Verdict: Accidental death.

ends