Neglect at a care home contributed to the death of an Oxford grandmother, an inquest has found.

Edna Young, 88, was found to be severely dehydrated and suffering from pneumonia and kidney failure when she was rushed to Oxford's Churchill Hospital on December 6, 2003.

Mrs Young, who was blind and suffered from Alzheimer's disease, had been staying at the privately-run Cherwood House Care Centre, in Buckingham Road, Bicester, where carers had reported a deterioration in her health on three occasions but no medical treatment was given.

Mrs Young had to be given almost seven litres of fluid but the dehydration had caused further brain damage and attempts to feed her when she was in hospital were unsuccessful.

Doctors agreed with her family to withdraw treatment and she died at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital on January 12 last year.

Coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded a verdict of death by natural causes, aggravated by neglect, at Oxfordshire Coroner's Court. It was the first verdict of its kind to be recorded there in at least seven years.

Speaking after the inquest, daughter Shirley Browne said she was appalled by her mother's treatment.

Ms Browne had been caring for her mother at her home in Banbury Road, Oxford, but had to temporarily put her in the home, costing between £367 and £720 a week, on November 12, 2003, when she had a routine foot operation.

She said: "I was telling people she'd gone to this lovely place and was going to be looked after better than the Queen Mother."

She went to visit her on December 12 and found her sitting in the day room almost unconscious and looking 'close to death'. She said: "I had the shock of my life when I saw her. She was almost unconscious, unresponsive, her teeth were all showing -- she looked like a corpse. She was nearly at the end of her life, but she didn't deserve to suffer that neglect."

The Commission for Social Care Inspection, which carried out an investigation at the home following Mrs Young's death, said there were 'serious deficiencies' in the care she was given while at Cherwood House.

A spokesman said yesterday: "One of the main concerns was that her deteriorating condition, though carefully documented by some of the care staff, was not appropriately addressed by the nursing staff."

The commission has since ensured that the manager and Ellenbern Holdings, which owns the home, have addressed the shortcomings.

No one at the care home was available for comment.

Have you been concerned by the treatment you, or a relative, has received in a care home? If so, call the Oxford Mail newsdesk on 01865 425444.

For advice call the Relatives' and Residents Association on 0207 359 8136 or see www.relres.org