An inquest will be held into the death of a woman from the Powys border who fell after having surgery.

In an opening hearing at Shrewsbury Coroner’s court yesterday  (September 10) Senior Coroner John Ellery set a date for a full inquest hearing into the death of Mavis Julia Sweetman.

Ms Sweetman, 90, from Clunbury died after a fall following surgery at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Ms Sweetman was admitted to hospital for lower abdominal pain and underwent surgery.


What happens at an inquest and what can the press report?

Reporting on inquests is one of the most difficult jobs faced by any journalist, but there are important reasons why local newspapers attend coroner’s court hearings and report on proceedings.

Here we will try and answer some of your questions about what will happen, what can be reported and why.


The court hear while recovering from the surgery Ms Sweetman “fell backwards and damaged her head”.

After this, due to the severity of the injury, it was decided by medical staff that she should receive palliative care.

Senior Coroner John Ellery has set a date for a full inquest into Ms Sweetman’s death for December 12.