Olive Nockels is a former school matron

Relatives of Olive Nockels, who is a patient at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, are concerned she is not getting the treatment she needs and have embarked on legal action.

On Monday, a High Court judge ordered doctors at the hospital to provide food, water and treatment to Mrs Nockels until the rights and wrongs of the way she was being cared for could be established.

The court case was brought after Mrs Nockels' grandson, Chris West, 32, of Norwich, who claimed staff at the hospital were not doing all they could to prevent the retired school matron from dying.

Mr West said a full court hearing will look at his grandmother's case

Mrs Nockels, of Holt, Norfolk, was initially taken to hospital five weeks ago after a fall.

Following treatment she had gone to a residential home to recover.

But she was taken back to hospital about two weeks ago when she was found apparently unconscious after suffering a stroke.

The hospital said Mrs Nockels was desperately ill, had dementia and was highly unlikely to recover from the effects of the stroke.

Doctors feel that using drips and tubes to nourish her caused unnecessary discomfort and would not improve her quality of life.

But Mr West has disputed the hospital's view.

He said Mrs Nockels is not "screaming in pain" and should be nourished, hydrated and treated.

He added that he wanted his grandmother to be independently assessed by another doctor to get a clearer picture of her condition.

Mr West also objected to doctors using the painkiller diamorphine, claiming it kept Mrs Nockels unnecessarily sedated.

The interim High Court order originally said doctors should not use the drug without consent from Mrs Nockels' family.

'Concerned over pain levels'

But Mr Justice Forbes on Tuesday night amended the order at a private hearing in London after doctors raised concerns about the amount of pain Mrs Nockels was suffering.

"Over the past 24 hours doctors who are caring for her have become concerned about the level of pain Mrs Nockels is in," said a hospital spokesman.

"The judge has agreed that we can administer a painkiller if we think it necessary."

Mr West said he was "disgusted" by the development.

A full hearing of the case is expected to take place at the High Court in London in the near future.

It is thought the case is the first of its kind and could be a landmark in terms of defining the rights of elderly patients and the responsibilities of doctors.