SA coroner frustrated by mandatory inquest

A coroner has again criticised laws forcing him to conduct an inquest into the routine death of an elderly man in a nursing home.

South Australian Deputy Coroner Anthony Schapel says the mandatory inquest into the death of Ian Hunt, 82, from dementia in an Adelaide nursing home is a waste of police and legal time and resources.

Mr Schapel says the situation is further complicated by the fact that Mr Hunt's widow is waiting on the outcome of the inquest to access her husband's superannuation payments.