THE family of a man who died from a brain injury have criticised his care while in Winchester Prison.

Edward Willcox developed a bleed on his brain and later died at Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

An inquest at Winchester Coroner’s Court heard Mr Willcox’s medical treatment in prison did not lead to his death, but his family have said they are concerned about staff shortages as well as missed appointments and medication.

The 79-year-old, formerly of Porchester Road, Southampton, had become increasingly frail following a series of falls and also suffered from mielodisplasia, a form of blood cancer.

After being transferred to hospital with a suspected stroke, he died on July 10 - a week before his release date.

Home Office pathologist Dr Basil Purdue gave a cause of death as a progressive subdural haematoma but added it was not possible to determine whether this was spontaneous or caused by an event such as a fall.

In a statement, his family said: “There’s a lack of care for inmates.There needs to be a permanent GP in there, there for the elderly, and there’s a lack of doctors and nurses. With observations at night you need to be able to unlock the door. Hours or minutes could make the difference between someone living or dying. We just want it to improve to help other people.”

Dr Paul Armitage, who works as a GP in the prison, confirmed that it was “chronically understaffed”, adding that the medical care in prisons was of poorer quality than care outside.

Assistant coroner Simon Burge, recording an open verdict, said: “Significant family concerns raised with regards to care were supported by Dr Armitage which refer to a shortage of nurses and doctors.

Mr Burge added: “Concerns expressed by the family largely fell on deaf ears but I cannot find the failure had any significant impact in terms of his death.”

He recorded an open conclusion, saying it was not clear whether it was a death from natural causes or an accidental death caused by one of the falls.