The family of a woman who died in A&E say the emergency department was “over-stressed and understaffed".

A solicitor for the family of Ann Pearce said the emergency department of the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath was under pressure in the lead up to her death in April 2022.

An inquest into her death heard that perceived failings in her care were “indicative of a systemic failure”. The trust behind the hospital denies that there was a systemic failure.

William Irwin, representing the family, said: “The emergency department was over-stressed, understaffed and under pressure.

“It’s indicative of a more systemic failure. This isn’t treatment that probably should have been given, it is treatment that definitely should have been given.”

The inquest in Horsham earlier heard that Mrs Pearce, 61, died after falling from her bike and suffering a fractured knee.

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Mrs Pearce, from Burgess Hill, developed a blood clot and died from a pulmonary embolism six days after she was first admitted to the Princess Royal.

Her family say she should have been given blood thinners to prevent blood clots and that she had a history of deep vein thrombosis in her immediate family.

WhatsApp messages sent by Mrs Pearce while she was in the emergency department said that she spent two nights in the department without a pillow.

Dr Holly Sutton, Mrs Pearce’s daughter, paid tribute to her mother calling her a “very family orientated person” who “lived a very full life”.

She added: “My mum had told me she had a DVT [Deep Vein Thrombosis] in the past.

“She was always the leader of the pack and I know she would have been really on it.”

Representatives for University Hospitals Sussex, the trust which runs the Princess Royal, said that there was “no evidence of a systemic failure”.

The inquest, presided over by coroner Joanne Andrews, was adjourned with a conclusion expected on November 27.