An inquest has opened after “concerns” were raised over the death of an elderly man at Royal Bolton Hospital.

Geoffrey Irving Wood, of Lostock, was 94 years old when he died at the Minerva Road hospital on September 21.

Bolton Coroners Court heard after Mr Wood’s death his family had raised concerns about the treatment and care he had received.

Coroner Peter Sigee said: “I understand that the cause of death report has been shared with the next of kin but that there have been some concerns raised.”

Mr Wood, a widower, retired accountant and former RAF man originally from Mitchum in Surrey, had initially been treated at Royal Bolton Hospital after a fall at home, where he lived alone.

He was discharged on August 26 but within days needed to be readmitted to hospital after suffering a suspected stroke, first to Salford Royal and then again to Royal Bolton.

Police coroners officer Robert Struttman told the court how Mr Wood appeared to have fallen out of bed during his second stay at Royal Bolton Hospital on September 15, a few days before he died.

Mr Sigee ruled that a full inquest will now be held to establish the facts around Mr Wood’s death.

He requested that evidence be provided from Mr Wood’s GP, from Salford Royal Hospital and from Royal Bolton Hospital be submitted to him by November 3.

The inquest is now expected to be held on December 8 this year.