Aprons in local hospitals have been locked away after a severely depressed grandmother suffocated herself with one she found in a psychiatric hospital unit.

The move by Surrey and Borders Partnership followed the death of Valerie Bertram, 72, from Leatherhead, in May 2013 at The Meadows West Park Hospital in Epsom.

The coroner at her inquest in December has also written to the health minister to flag up the issue nationally according to Mrs Bertram's daughter.

Mrs Bertram had a history of depression and anxiety and was on medication for the conditions.

She was admitted to Epsom Hospital on May 20, 2013, having taking an overdose of her medication and was transferred to The Meadows after 9pm that day, which provides specialist mental health services.

Alison Schauss, Mrs Bertram’s daughter, said her mother became increasingly unstable at The Meadows and was placed in an anti-ligature room to stop her making attempts on her life.

Mrs Schauss said her mother’s room at The Meadows was near a bathroom, open for patients to use, inside which was a dispenser with a roll of aprons used by nurses.

The inquest heard that the hospital should have carried out observations on Mrs Bertram more frequently and performed an appropriate risk assessment.

Mrs Schauss said transferring her mother so late at night to The Meadows from Epsom Hospital led to the lack of observations required.

Giving a narrative verdict, the coroner said: "Mrs Bertram had a long history of depression and anxiety in requiring medication, with a more recent decline in both her mental and physical health.

"On May 30 she was admitted to hospital for treatment. Thereafter she was transferred to a specialist unit for assessment and management of her psychiatric illness.

"An appropriate risk assessment was not undertaken and close observation was not implemented, allowing Mrs Bertram to asphyxiate herself in circumstances where the question of intent remains unclear."

Speaking after the inquest, Mrs Schauss said: "She was placed there for her safety and had access to the apron even though she was in an anti-ligature room.

"We feel we have got justice for mum. The coroner is writing to the health minister with her suggestions."

Jo Young, director of quality for Surrey and Borders Partnership, which runs The Meadows West Park Hospital, said: "The safety of the people who use our services is always our top priority and we take any death extremely seriously.

"All aprons on our wards are now securely locked away in store rooms which are only accessible to clinical staff."