THE death of a Kidderminster woman who overdosed on a drug she had been stockpiling was found to be an accident.

Registered nurse Alison Booton died at her home in Keats Place from a self-administered painkiller overdose on March 15 last year at the age of 55.

An inquest at Worcestershire Coroner’s Court heard she struggled with anxiety and depression and had an emotionally unstable personality disorder.

She had annual mental health reviews as a patient at Church Street Surgery and she was prescribed strong painkillers when her back pain became severe.

Police were called to Alison’s address to reports of a sudden death on the morning of March 15. She was found in a bedroom lying on the floor.

Also found in the house was food rotting in the kitchen, medicine packets and pieces of cat faeces around the home.

A toxicology report said the cause of death is best attributed to toxicity from painkillers.

A statement made by Alison’s sister Julie Millman said: “I am certain that she did not want to end her life."

She said Alison had “several crises” over the years and once jumped into a canal after an overdose. Alison was admitted to Bushey Fields Hospital in Dudley in 2008.

The statement also said that Julie found packets of drugs in Alison's handbags.

Giving evidence, Julie said: “Alison told me on a number of occasions she would not take her own life.

“The most important thing in her life was her cats. She didn’t have any children or a husband."

She also said on one occasion Alison told her “don’t worry, I won’t do anything stupid.”

A recorded phone call that Julie made to senior partner at Church Street surgery Dr Khatim Niwa was played in court. A distressed Julie asked for guidance on how to help her sister.

It was also heard that some of the medicine packets found at the home dated back three to four years ago and some had not been opened.

Coroner David Reid said he had “no doubt” that Alison took the tablets deliberately but was “not satisfied she intended to take her own life”.

He also said there was “no evidence” that Alison’s GP or mental health services would have known she was stockpiling medication.

The coroner then concluded that Ms Booton’s death was an accident.