Suffolk's senior coroner has issued advice to a Woodbridge hotel to amend their signage after a visitor suffered injuries that contributed towards her death falling down stairs. 

Sylvia Price, 83, attended Ufford Park Hotel and Spa on November 30 2021 for a meal and, prior to leaving, went to use the toilet. 

However, the closest facilities were located down a flight of stairs and the injuries she sustained as a result of the fall were extensive, including cerebral haemorrhages and spinal injuries.

She was taken to Ipswich Hospital and, while being treated for her injuries, developed aspiration pneumonia which was the medical cause of her death. 

Mrs Price died on December 4 2021 at Ipswich Hospital.

A report to prevent future deaths has been published following her inquest on December 8 2022, which was concluded as an accidental death by the senior coroner.

Following the jury inquest, senior coroner Nigel Parsley came to the conclusion that there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken and has produced the report.

Evidence at the inquest found that Mrs Price had underlying medical issues which required an easily accessible toilet facility.

The report says: "No signage was in place in the vicinity, that would have indicated the availability of an accessible toilet on the same level as an alternative option."

The jury concluded that the lack of appropriate signage was a contributing factor leading to Mrs Price's death, but a local authority safety officer found the stairs themselves met building and safety regulations.

In his report, Mr Parsley said: "As a failure to provide adequate signage was found to be a contributing factor in this case, and there is no enforceable requirement that such signage should be provided, I am concerned further deaths may occur in other public access buildings, should similar circumstances arise in the future."

A representative for LQ Resorts, who took over Ufford Park in June 2022, said: "LQ Resorts were devastated to have been made aware of the recent passing of Sylvia Price and our deepest condolences go out to all her family and friends.

"At the heart of everything we do is the care and wellbeing of guests and staff alike.

"Our utmost priority is to follow and uphold any recommendations made by the appropriate agencies accordingly and to continue with our ethos of hospitality at the highest level."