THE Aneurin Bevan Health Board has launched an investigation into the death of a patient who was found hanged at the Royal Gwent Hospital last week.

An inquest was opened on Friday by the Gwent Coroner's Office into the death of Sally Matthews, 54, from Caldicot who died on August 15, after she was found hanging from a door at the hospital in Newport.

Ms Matthews was admitted earlier that day by paramedics after they were called to a property in the Caldicot area at 6.46pm.

Geoffrey Ronayne, Gwent Police Coroner, said that attempts of resuscitation were made at the hospital but without success. The post mortem examination was carried out at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on August 19 and found the cause of death to be pressure of the neck in keeping with hanging.

A police inquiry is ongoing into the circumstances of Ms Matthews’ death but Gwent Police say that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.

David T. Bowen, Gwent Coroner, said: "I am satisfied with the identity and propose an adjournment to continue with the police investigation."

A spokesman for the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said: "We can confirm that we are investigating the sudden death of a female patient at the Royal Gwent Hospital on Friday, August 15, in line with our serious incident policy. The death is not being treated as suspicious.

"Our thoughts are with the family of the patient at this distressing time."

The inquest was adjourned for six weeks and the body will be released to the family for funeral purposes.