A woman died after suffering side effects from medication prescribed for an infection she did not have, an inquest has heard.

Medics suspected Audrey Newman was suffering from encephalitis - which causes swelling of the brain - after she had a seizure at home.

But after she was admitted to hospital, she was not initially tested due to a 'lack of competent ward doctors' who were able to carry out a lumbar puncture.

In accordance with guidelines, she was prescribed a course of antiviral drug acyclovir - which has a 'well recognised' risk of kidney failure.

The lumbar puncture was not done until a week later as 'no one consultant took ownership of the need and arrangements' it.

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By that time, Ms Newman had devel

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