An inquiry was today under way into claims that a man's death was hastened after he was prescribed the wrong medication.

Leukaemia sufferer Harry Perry of Lynn View Close, Benfleet, was mistakenly given tablets to bring down his blood pressure - even though it was already low, his family said.

Harry was sent home from Basildon Hospital when his fight against blood cancer neared its end as it was his wish to die at home. But he was readmitted to the hospital and died there two days later.

His family from Hullbridge claim Harry, 73, was denied his wish to be at home when he died because of the mix-up with his medicine.

Harry's daughter Wendy Gray, 49, of Oakley Avenue, Hullbridge, said: "This has made us really angry and stressed out at an already tough time. We want to know why this was allowed to happen and to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Basildon Hospital has launched an investigation.

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