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Sepsis Delays: A Young Life Lost, A Nation's Plea
10 Feb
Summary
- Bethan James died aged 21 due to sepsis, pneumonia, and Crohn's disease.
- Sepsis awareness training is not mandatory in most Welsh hospitals.
- Her parents campaign for better training to prevent future deaths.
Bethan James, a vibrant 21-year-old with aspirations for the future, tragically passed away in 2020 due to sepsis, pneumonia, and Crohn's disease. Her family alleges that a critical delay in sepsis diagnosis led to a fatal lack of timely medical intervention.
Six years after Bethan's death, a BBC investigation revealed that sepsis awareness training remains non-compulsory at many hospitals in Wales. This includes the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where Bethan received her final care.
Bethan's parents, Jane and Steve James, recall five hospital visits in the ten days preceding her death, during which her symptoms were reportedly dismissed. Even with a NEWS score indicating severe sepsis risk, the signs were not recognized by medical staff.
Despite efforts by paramedics and eventual antibiotic treatment upon arrival at the hospital, it was too late for Bethan. Her parents are now advocating for mandatory, audited sepsis training across all Welsh health boards, emphasizing that timely recognition is crucial.
The Welsh Ambulance Service has apologized for errors in Bethan's case and stated that sepsis training is now mandatory, with "meaningful changes" implemented. The Welsh government plans to make sepsis a focus for NHS Wales improvement in 2026-27.
Advocates like the UK Sepsis Trust stress that for every hour treatment is delayed, survival chances decrease significantly. They call for standalone, audited sepsis training for all clinical staff to combat this preventable killer.
