Woman had ‘stockpiled’ two bin bags of prescription drugs

Cherie Anne Welsh was found dead in her bed with traces of several drugs in her body on August 3 last year, according to statements read to the inquest.

Relatives told her GP, Dr Emma Broughton, that when they were sorting out her affairs, they had filled two black bin bags with unused medications stockpiled in her home.

They also said the 49-year-old woman had been allowing others to use medicines prescribed for her.

Dr Broughton told the coroner in a written statement Mrs Welsh had been a regular attender at her surgery, had mental and physical health problems and had had diabetes related collapses. She had also attended York Hospital 38 times in 12 months before her death.

The doctor added that her practice, the Priory Medical Group, had reviewed its procedures after the discovery of the medical drugs’ stockpile.

Assistant deputy coroner David Liddell said: “I am concerned to see evidence from the medical authorities of what might be considered to be hoarding of medication and its use by the deceased other than in accordance with the medical advice.”

A forensic scientist’s report read to the inquest at New Earswick Folk Hall said there were traces of several legal drugs in her body and that two of them, amitriptyline and diphenhydramine in combination, could have affected her breathing.

Mr Liddell said the evidence showed that though there were several different types of drugs, they had not been taken in sufficient strength that he could definitely say they were the cause of death and he recorded an open verdict.

The inquest at New Earswick Folk Hall heard that Mrs Welsh lived in Navigation Road, off Walmgate, York, with her husband, Alan. When she did not get up before 10am on August 3 last year he went to check on her and found her body in her bed.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, she was declared dead and it was believed she may have died during the night.