The anniversary of Bethan Jones’ death from sepsis has once again brought into focus a devastating and all too familiar issue - the failure to recognise and treat sepsis quickly enough.

In January 2020, Bethan had gone into town with a friend but she returned home feeling tired and short of breath. Bethan reportedly then sought medical help and attended hospital on 5 occasions between the onset of feeling unwell and the date of her death, but her symptoms were not immediately recognised as signs of a life-threatening infection. 2 days before her death, an ambulance was called and Bethan was assessed and given a National Early Warning Score (NEWS), which looks at things like blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate. Anything above seven indicates a severe risk of sepsis, where care should be urgently escalated to an emergency medical review in an acute care setting. Bethan’s NEWS score was eight, but the paramedic at her house did not recognise that Bethan may have sepsis.This meant that although an ambulance was called, Bethan was not treated as urgent and the hospital was not warned she was on her way. As her condition deteriorated, the delay in identifying and treating sepsis proved fatal. Her case shows how quickly sepsis can escalate and how critical early action can be in saving lives.

At the inquest into the death of Bethan, the Coroner found that she “would not have died” if her care and treatment had not been delayed.

Family members have since spoken of their heartbreak and their determination to ensure greater awareness of sepsis symptoms so that others do not suffer the same loss.

What is sepsis?

Behind every headline is a family whose lives have been permanently altered. While each case has its own circumstances, the underlying concern is often the same: repeated opportunities to identify a life-threatening infection are missed, escalation is delayed, and treatment comes too late.

At Switalskis, we regularly support families who are left asking how this could have happened,  particularly where there were warning signs, multiple attendances at hospital or contact with healthcare professionals, and clinical indicators that should have triggered urgent review.

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body’s response to an infection overreacts. Normally, the immune system fights infection to protect the body. In sepsis, however, this can lead to:

• Widespread inflammation
• Organ dysfunction
• Septic shock (dangerously low blood pressure)
• Death, if not treated urgently

Sepsis can develop from common infections such as:

• Pneumonia
• Urinary tract infections
• Abdominal infections
• Skin infections

Why early diagnosis matters

Sepsis can deteriorate rapidly, sometimes over hours rather than days. That is why early recognition and prompt treatment, usually intravenous antibiotics and fluids, are critical.

Healthcare professionals often use clinical tools such as the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) to identify patients at risk of deterioration. High scores should trigger urgent escalation and senior medical review. Where this does not happen, the consequences can be catastrophic.

Coroners in a number of cases across the UK have found that deaths from sepsis were avoidable had treatment been given sooner. These findings are devastating for families, particularly where there were repeated contacts with healthcare services before the condition was recognised.

Common symptoms of sepsis

Symptoms can vary, but warning signs often include:

• High fever or very low body temperature
• Rapid heartbeat
• Rapid breathing or shortness of breath
• Confusion or disorientation
• Extreme pain or discomfort
• Pale, mottled, or bluish skin

Unfortunately, sepsis is sometimes missed in its early stages. However, it can progress rapidly to septic shock, where blood pressure drops dangerously low and vital organs begin to fail.

Prompt treatment of sepsis is essential. The earlier sepsis is recognised and treated, the greater the chance of survival.

Sadly, The UK Sepsis Trust estimates about 48,000 people die each year from sepsis-related illnesses.

A call for greater awareness

Bethan Jones’s death is a stark reminder of how critical early recognition is in cases of infection. The Welsh Ambulance Service apologised for the "errors identified in Bethan's case" and said sepsis training is now mandatory. However, following Bethan’s tragic death, an investigation found that sepsis awareness is still not mandatory at most hospitals in Wales. The UK Sepsis Trust wants all clinical hospital staff to have mandatory standalone sepsis awareness training to make sure it is caught as early as possible.

In England, the introduction of Martha's Rule, named after 13-year-old Martha Mills, allows families to request an urgent second opinion if they are concerned a patient’s condition is deteriorating. It was introduced after missed opportunities to treat sepsis led to Martha’s death.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) also provides guidance that ambulance services should be able to administer antibiotics in suspected sepsis cases where transfer times to hospital exceed one hour.

Campaigners hope that increased awareness, improved training, and clearer diagnostic pathways will help prevent future tragedies. While nothing can undo the loss experienced by Bethan’s loved ones, her story may help save lives by encouraging faster recognition and urgent medical care when sepsis is suspected.

We are here to support you

If you or someone close to you has been affected by delayed diagnosis or treatment of sepsis , you do not have to face it alone.

Our experienced medical negligence team can:

• Investigate what happened
• Obtain independent expert evidence
• Support you through inquests and legal proceedings
• Seek compensation to help rebuild your life

We approach every case with compassion, care and a clear focus on achieving meaningful outcomes for the families we represent.