Inquests into the deaths of 10 elderly patients, following allegations that painkillers were over-prescribed, are expected to begin hearing evidence.
A son who thought his mother was recovering in hospital was told by a doctor "she has come here to die", an inquest has heard.
All the deaths happened at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital, in Hampshire, between 1996 and 1999.
Inquests are being held at Portsmouth Coroner's Court into the deaths of 10 patients at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital (GWMH) more than 10 years ago.
Police launched investigations into the deaths of 92 patients at the hospital but no prosecutions have been brought.
Elsie Lavender, 84, was transferred to the hospital after suffering a stroke.
The inquests, which are expected to last for several weeks, were opened on Wednesday when a jury was sworn in.
Her son Alan thought she was recovering well but when she got to GWMH she rapidly deteriorated, jurors heard.
Palliative care
Hampshire police have carried out a series of investigations into the treatment of patients at the Hampshire hospital in the late 1990s but no prosecutions have ever been brought by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Coroner Andrew Bradley told the jury each of the 10 patients had gone to the hospital for palliative care but had died while there.
Some of their families believe that sedatives such as diamorphine were over-prescribed at the hospital and led to the death of their relatives who were receiving recuperative care.
He told the jury that it would be hearing evidence from, among others, Dr Jane Barton who was "during the relevant time... the clinician primarily involved".
Families of some of the patients involved believe that painkillers, such as diamorphine, were over-prescribed, leading to their relatives' deaths.
An inquiry has been held into the deaths by the Commission for Health Improvement, which criticised prescribing practices at the hospital.
England's chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson also commissioned an audit to examine death rates in 2002.
Mr Bradley told the jury the report, by Professor Richard Baker, would not be included in the hearing because it was too directional and could raise issues of liability.
The families would be able to see the report after the hearing had finished, he said.
'No blame'
Mr Bradley has told the jury their role is to establish the causes of death and not to apportion blame.
The inquests are into the deaths of Arthur Cunningham, 79, of Gosport, on 26 September, 1998; Elsie Devine, 88, on 21 November, 1999; Sheila Gregory, 91, of Gosport, on 22 November, 1999 and Ruby Lake, 84, of Gosport, on 21 August, 1998.
The other deaths were those of Elsie Lavender, 83, of Gosport, on 6 March, 1996; Geoffrey Packman, 67, of Emsworth, on 3 September, 1999; Leslie Pittock, 82, on 24 January, 1996; Helena Service, 99, of Gosport, on 5 June, 1997; Enid Spurgin, 92, of Gosport, on 13 April, 1999, and Robert Wilson, 75, of Sarisbury Green, on 18 October, 1998.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw gave permission for the inquests to go ahead last year.
