John Pollard halted an inquest into the death of 83-year-old Norah Chapman until he could question Pauline Newman, director of social services at Manchester city council.
Mr Pollard, coroner for Greater Manchester South, had earlier heard how Mrs Chapman was staying at Greatwood House residential home, in Denton, despite needing to be cared for by fully-trained nurses because of her mental illness.
She also had severe arthritis, as well as being doubly incontinent and completely bed-bound.
Staff at the home talked to Mrs Chapman's social worker and asked for her to be transferred to a nursing environment, but they were told she did not qualify.
She was eventually moved to Guide Lane Nursing Home six months later - on November 7, 2003 - after a second request from Greatwood House.
Mrs Pollard later fell ill with bronchial pneumonia and died at Tameside Hospital on November 27, 2003.
Mr Pollard said that he was not prepared to deliver a verdict at the inquest until he had heard from Mrs Newman about why it took so long for Mrs Chapman to be transferred.
Mrs Chapman was born in Miles Platting. Her case was being dealt with by Manchester social services, despite the homes and hospital being over the border in Tameside.
A spokeswoman for the city council said: "We are unable to make any comments at this stage other than to confirm that the director of Manchester's children, families and social care department will be looking in detail into this in order to co-operate fully with the coroner's request for information."
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