The inquest heard Ernest Bickford became confused

Retired builder Ernest Bickford, of Cardigan Road in Plymouth, died after falling 17 metres (56 feet) from the roof of Plymouth's Derriford Hospital.

A jury returned a verdict of accidental death after a two-day inquest.

The inquest in Plymouth heard Mr Bickford died when he got out onto the roof by forcing a window in the ward's day room - he then fell to his death.

Early on 5 January 2002 Mr Bickford became confused and started wandering around Burrator ward, where he was being treated.

The survey concluded that some windows could be forced open despite the restrainers which were fitted Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust statement

In a statement, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We would like to apologise to the family of Mr Bickford for what happened.

"We want to reassure them and the public that the lessons to be learned and actions required as a result of this unfortunate death have been accepted and implemented by the trust.

"An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive concluded the trust had in place an effective system for identifying and repairing defective windows, but the window in question had not been reported as defective."

The statement said that as a result of the incident involving Mr Bickford, a full survey of windows at Derriford Hospital was carried out immediately.

"The survey concluded that some windows could be forced open despite the restrainers which were fitted.

"Remedial measures to ensure the windows could not in future be forced were put in hand and completed within a short space of time of the incident.

"The trust's nursing practice for monitoring and nursing confused patients was also reviewed."