Latest news with #Bethan
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'Beautiful daughter' was 'dismissed multiple times' by doctors before her death
The family of "beautiful" and "caring" Bethan Amy James, 21, claim that medics they encountered before their daughter's tragic death failed to respond to the gravity of her condition and repeatedly dismissed her symptoms A "beautiful" and "caring" daughter was "dismissed" countless times by doctors before she died in hospital, an inquest has heard. Bethan Amy James, 21, the daughter of former England cricketer Steve James, was first admitted to hospital on February 8, 2020, and died the following day. Her sports journalist dad was covering Wales' Six Nations match in Ireland when his daughter was taken seriously ill. Weather delays prevented him from flying home in time to say his last goodbye. At Pontryppid Coroner's Court Tuesday, an inquest heard how Bethan had presented to hospital on a number of occasions before February 8. Speaking at court, her mum Jane James claimed she had been "dismissed" by several members of staff. She believes her "caring and beautiful" daughter's "life could have been saved" had someone realised the seriousness of her condition. Bethan - who was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2019 aged just 20 years old - had been studying journalism at the University of South Wales and had hoped of being a voice for people with the illness. She had even started a blog documenting her experiences of the condition, and had been involved in a BBC documentary with Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden, who also has Crohn's. Paying tribute to her daughter Mrs James said: 'As a person she never moaned, she never made a fuss. She was very caring. She was just beautiful. She put people before herself. She was more interested in other people and their stories and I think that's why she would have made a brilliant journalist.' Speaking about the heartbreaking events leading up to her death, Mrs James recalled how her daughter first began complaining of tiredness, and had shortness of breath, with Bethan booking an emergency GP appointment for January 27. She returned to University Hospital Wales in Cardiff on multiple occasions, but said the doctors they encountered repeatedly dismissed her despite her GP raising an urgent referral. Over the following days, Bethan's symptoms worsened, and she had also developed numbness and issues with her right leg. During one of the encounters with a consultant, Mrs James said the doctor was "very, very dismissive", having said: "You again! You were here on Sunday. Mrs James claims that it took threats to contact health board seniors before a follow-up appointment was arranged. This was despite Bethan being barely able to walk out of the hospital. On Saturday, February 8 - with Bethan bed-bound - the family called an ambulance and paramedics arrived, but Mrs James said there was no "rush" to get her daughter to the hospital. Bethan was still classified as not "unwell enough" and had to wait outside the hospital for a bed, Mrs James added. All the while this was ongoing Mrs James said her daughter was awake, could 'hardly breathe' and was 'so scared'. After some time Mrs James said an anaesthetist came down and Bethan was put to sleep. Mrs James said she felt that with that her daughter's body lost its ability to fight. She said she was asked to leave the room at around 9.25pm before she was told that her daughter had a cardiac arrest a short time later. Mrs James recalled being told that medics were working on her daughter and asked if she wanted to be with Bethan as she passed away. 'As soon as I walked in, I knew she was dead,' Mrs James said. She commented that a sepsis protocol should have been put in place early on and that her daughter 'should have had the right care straight away'. She added: 'It's heartbreaking as a mum to know that her life could have been saved. They didn't know what they were doing.' The inquest continues.
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Cricket star's daughter Bethan James would 'have likely survived' if medics had acted differently, inquest told
Cricket star's daughter Bethan James would 'have likely survived' if medics had acted differently, inquest told An expert witness said Bethan's cardiac arrest could have been avoided, and that she could have survived if it had been. Bethan is the daughter of former Glamorgan and England cricketer Steve James Bethan, who died in 2020 aged 21, was the daughter of Glamorgan and England cricket star Steve James A seriously unwell 21-year-old woman would have 'likely survived' if medics had acted appropriately sooner, an expert witness has told the coroner overseeing the inquest into her death. Bethan James, the daughter of former Glamorgan and England cricketer Steve James, died on February 8, 2020, just a few hours after being admitted to the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) in Cardiff. The ongoing inquest into her death, which began on Tuesday, June 3, at Pontypridd Coroner's Court, heard that she died of sepsis and pneumonia. Her illness was complicated by the immune suppressing effects of Crohn's disease, it was heard. Budding journalist Bethan's dad, Steve, a highly respected sports journalist himself, was away covering Wales' Six Nations match in Ireland when his daughter was taken seriously ill. Heartbreakingly, due to weather delays, he was unable to get home and see her before she died. During the third day of the inquest on Thursday, June 5, coroner Patricia Morgan heard evidence from Dr Duncan Thomas who treated Bethan at hospital. Article continues below He said he was surprised by how quickly her condition worsened when she was brought into UHW, and expressed 'frustration' that Ms James had not been brought to the resuscitation area – used for treating the most seriously ill patients – earlier. However, he did not believe there was anything that could have been done to save her. Dr Thomas said: 'I was, I think it's fair to say, astounded at how quickly Bethan was deteriorating. 'The rate of Bethan's deterioration was not something I had previously observed in someone of her age group, and, in my career, I have only ever seen it one more time.' While Dr Thomas said the hospital should have received a 'pre-alert' from paramedics bringing Bethan to UHW, he did not believe it would have saved her life, with damage to multiple organs already present before she arrived. 'It's my belief that, unfortunately, Bethan would have died,' he said. 'Bethan's presentation and rate of deterioration were incredibly atypical of someone of her age group.' Bethan James pictured celebrating her 21st birthday Dr Thomas said Ms James' death had a 'profound' impact on him and other staff at the hospital, adding: 'I wish there was something I could have done'. However, the inquest later heard from expert witness Dr Chris Danbury: an intensive care consultant at University Hospital Southampton and an honorary senior lecturer at the University of Southampton Medical School. He disagreed with evidence heard earlier on Thursday, stating his view was that Bethan's cardiac arrest could have been avoided. Ms Morgan asked him: 'Is it your evidence that if [Bethan] had been taken into the resus area [straight away] then a cardiac arrest could have been avoided?' Dr Danbury replied: 'Yes. That's based on my experience. We have seen patients like this frequently. If you [act] aggressively when they come through the door you can avoid cardiac arrest.' He further explained: 'Resus is a safe place…I have no problem with her staying in resus until a bed came available at [the intensive care unit]. Resus is the place she should be safe until she gets stabilised and is safe to move elsewhere in the hospital.' Referring to Dr Danbury's pre-prepared report, Ms Morgan said: 'You say if she hadn't gone into cardiac arrest, in your view, she would have likely survived?' He responded: 'Yes.' Responding to Dr Thomas's description of Bethan's presentation of 'atypical', Dr Danbury said: '[It is] something I have seen before and no doubt I will see it again.' During the first day of the inquest on Tuesday it was heard how Bethan was 'dismissed' by a number of medics in the weeks that led up to her death. On Wednesday the coroner heard from the ambulance crew who tended to Bethan and brought her to UWH. The paramedics agreed that A&E should have been warned that Bethan was on her way. Speaking at the hearing on Tuesday, her heartbroken mother, Jane James, described Bethan as a 'caring' and 'beautiful' person who always put others before herself. Diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2019 at the age of 20, Bethan documented her experience of the condition through a vlog and had hopes of becoming a journalist. Mrs James said: 'As a person she never moaned, she never made a fuss. She was very caring. She was just beautiful. 'She put people before herself. She was more interested in other people and their stories and I think that's why she would have made a brilliant journalist.' The inquest continues. Article continues below
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
A&E 'should have been warned' by paramedics about seriously ill 21-year-old with sepsis
A&E 'should have been warned' by paramedics about seriously ill 21-year-old with sepsis .'Caring' Bethan Amy James was admitted to hospital by ambulance and died the next day Bethan James was just 21 when she died Paramedics 'should have' alerted A&E staff that the seriously ill daughter of a former cricket star was on her way to hospital, an inquest has heard. 'Caring' and 'beautiful' Bethan Amy James was admitted to hospital on February 8, 2020 and died the next day. An ongoing inquest into her death, which began on Tuesday, heard that her death was caused by a combination of sepsis, pneumonia and Crohn's disease. Budding journalist Bethan was the daughter of former Glamorgan and England cricketer Steve James. A highly respected sports journalist himself, Mr James was away covering Wales' Six Nations match in Ireland when his daughter was taken seriously ill. Heartbreakingly due to weather delays he was unable to get home and see her before she died. In the lead up to Bethan's death, her family say she was 'dismissed' by multiple medics and that 'her life could have been saved'. During the second day of Bethan's inquest on Wednesday it was heard how there was an apparent 'insufficient urgency' when paramedics arrived at Bethan's home in St Mellons, Cardiff, that evening. Giving evidence, paramedic Laura Wilson accepted that she should have 'pre-alerted' the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff of Bethan's arrival. However, she did not. Article continues below She said her experience with Bethan has informed her practice as a paramedic as well as her understanding of sepsis. Speaking to coroner Patricia Morgan, Ms Wilson said: 'It was a long time ago. My practice is completely different now than it was then. 'At the time, on reflection, I should have pre-alerted and taken that phone call to the hospital. I was aware Bethan was very poorly and we needed to get her to hospital.' She added that at the time she wasn't fully aware of the 'nature of decline' associated with sepsis. Emergency medical technician Aaron Hook - who drove the ambulance and accompanied Ms Wilson - agreed that a pre-alert 'definitely' should have happened. The inquest heard evidence that blue lights were not activated during the journey from Bethan's home to the hospital. Ms Wilson accepted this was her decision but said activating the lights may not have been appropriate. 'The purpose is to make progress to [the destination] and alert other road users of your presence,' she told the inquest. 'Their use wouldn't have achieved [this] any quicker and my thought process was using sirens and lights would have only served to add to Bethan's stress.' She noted that Bethan looked 'very poorly' and that she was 'very upset and distressed'. Bethan was the daughter of Glamorgan and England cricket star Steve James The inquest heard how the ambulance was on the scene for 29 minutes in total, which Ms Wilson said was 'not unreasonable'. Although she did not pre-alert the hospital she told the inquest that the University Hospital of Wales is 'prompt' and 'the best' in the area at offloading patients from ambulances. She estimated that it took around five or 10 minutes for Bethan to get into hospital, adding there was 'no major delay'. However the inquest heard further evidence that Mr Hook rushed into the hospital to find a bed for Bethan in resus. It was heard that the nurse in charge of resus that day, Carys Williams, told Mr Hook that the ward was at full capacity, but that she was aware of a 'buffer bed' - which is used when no beds are available - in the nearby 'majors' department. It is understood that resus is the highest-intensity department at a hospital where those with life-threatening conditions are treated, whereas majors is a step down from this; where patients requiring close observation and treatment are seen. It was heard how Bethan was taken to the buffer bed at the majors department when she first entered the hospital shortly after 7.45pm. She later went down to resus at 9.15pm, before she fell into cardiac arrest at around 9.35pm, it was previously heard. Ms Williams said if staff had been pre-alerted it would have 'rung alarm bells' and triggered a discussion with the consultant. It may have given medics time to select and transfer a current resus patient to the majors buffer bed, she explained. Ms Williams told the inquest how when Mr Hook spoke to her on Bethan's arrival she only recalls him describing Bethan as 'unwell'. When probed by Welsh Ambulance Service Trust Advocate Jack Scott on why she didn't ask Mr Hook for more information, she reiterated that she had no capacity and it could have delayed matters at that point to take a medical history. The family's advocate, Richard Booth, put to Ms Williams an FOI obtained by the family detailing how many beds were available in resus that day, which suggested a bed may have been available. Ms Williams reiterated that she was at full capacity for adults and that the availability likely referred to a free paediatric bay, adding: 'I don't recall any children coming in on that day.' Mr Booth further asked Ms Williams to confirm if she later referred to Bethan's deceased body as 'it'. Ms Williams said she did not and would not have said this. The inquest heard evidence from consultant Bethan Morgan who took charge of Bethan's care less than an hour before she died. Shortly before she passed it was heard how Bethan suffered a cardiac arrest. Mr Booth asked Dr Morgan if she agreed that the cardiac arrest could have been prevented if Bethan had been promptly transferred to the hospital and arrived at resus. In response she said: 'My opinion is I think Bethan would have died of this illness regardless.' She added that it was difficult to say for definite since she had not seen Bethan at the time paramedics first attended her home. She described Bethan's deterioration as 'atypical'. Mr Booth acknowledged that medics at the time were 'trying to piece together' what was causing Bethan's presentation that day, and that it was not known that the cause of Bethan's sepsis was 'viral'. Dr Morgan said: 'I think we assumed it was bacterial at the time of seeing her.' During the first day of the inquest on Tuesday it was heard how Bethan was 'dismissed' by a number of medics in the weeks that led up to her death. Speaking on Tuesday her heartbroken mother Jane James described Bethan as a 'caring' and 'beautiful' person who always put others before herself. Diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2019 at the age of 20, Bethan documented her experience of the condition through a vlog and had hopes of becoming a journalist. Article continues below Mrs James said: 'As a person she never moaned, she never made a fuss. She was very caring. She was just beautiful. 'She put people before herself. She was more interested in other people and their stories and I think that's why she would have made a brilliant journalist.' The inquest continues
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Ex-England cricket star's ‘beautiful' daughter, 21, was ‘repeatedly dismissed by doctors before her sudden death'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE daughter of a former England cricket star was repeatedly "dismissed" several times by doctors before her sudden death. Bethan Amy James tragically passed away aged 21 on February 9, 2020 - just 48 hours after being taken to hospital. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Bethan Amy James died just age 21 on February 9, 2020 Credit: @sjamesjourno/twitter 6 Ex-England cricket star Steve James' daughter is believed to have contracted sepsis Credit: WNS Her dad, former Glamorgan and England cricketer Steve James, was away covering Wales' Six Nations match in Ireland when Bethan became seriously ill. Bad weather meant he was unable to travel home in time to see her before she died. The first day of an inquest into her death opened on June 3, 2020, at Pontypridd Coroner's Court. It will probe her care and treatment under Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and consider how she came about her death - which is believed to have been sepsis. During the hearing, her mother, Jane James, said Bethan was 'dismissed' by multiple medics and that 'her life could have been saved,' according to WalesOnline. Speaking at the inquest, Jane described Bethan as a 'caring' and 'beautiful' person who always put others before herself. At the time of her passing, Bethan lived in Cardiff and was studying journalism at University. Jane said her daughter had suffered gastrointestinal issues throughout most of her life, before she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2019 at the age of 20. Crohn's is a lifelong condition whereby parts of the digestive system become inflamed. Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach aches and cramps, blood in stool, fatigue and weight loss. I shed 6st after pooing 30 times a day - I wrongly put my gassy stomach down to eating too much pizza While there is no cure for Crohn's disease, treatment can help reduce or control symptoms, according to the NHS. Bethan had been unwell for sometime, but her loved ones were unaware she could have contracted sepsis. Jane gave a heartbreaking account at the inquest of the days leading up to her daughter Bethan's death. She explained that on Saturday, January 25, 2020, Bethan had gone into town with a friend but came home feeling tired and short of breath. Concerned, the family booked an emergency GP appointment for the following Monday, January 27. At that appointment, Bethan's GP, Dr Jonathan Carnell, was worried enough to refer her urgently to Llandough Hospital for further checks on her breathing. The inquest heard Bethan was diagnosed with 'community acquired pneumonia' on January 28, 2020 and sent home with antibiotics. But her mum Jane said this wasn't explained clearly. 6 Steve was unable to reach his daughter before she passed away Credit: Facebook 6 Bethan had been living with Crohn's disease Credit: WNS 'They didn't tell her 'community acquired pneumonia',' she said. 'They said she may have a chest infection and to take antibiotics as a precaution.' Jane said hearing 'pneumonia' would have made them realise how serious it was. Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection, according to the NHS. It can be treated with antibiotics with most people making a full recovery within a few days of treatment. However, the condition can be deadly and lead to sepsis in those with underlying health conditions that make their immunity weaker. 'Abrupt' and 'dismissive' treatment Despite feeling unwell, Bethan went to university the next day to give a presentation but came home 'absolutely exhausted'. Her condition worsened – she developed numbness, pain, involuntary movements, and couldn't eat. 'On Tuesday she could drive, and by Sunday she couldn't hold a cup in her hand,' Jane said. Jane took her to A&E on February 2, 2020. She said the nurse that saw her daughter was 'abrupt,' and a doctor was 'dismissive' of her chest symptoms. She said he spoke to A&E consultant Dr Chen Wen Ngua for advice as well as to neurology registrar Dr Mark Willis. It was heard how the outcome of this hospital trip was that Bethan's symptoms were likely the result of a hemiplegic migraine. 'I don't feel on the second visit that they fully assessed her,' Jane said. 'They didn't appreciate how unwell she was' Bethan collapsed at home the next day but refused to return, saying she felt dismissed. Paramedics found her heart rate high but couldn't force her to go. By February 5, 2020, her right leg was affected, and Jane took her back. Dr Ngua, who saw her again, said: 'You again! You were here on Sunday.' He later told the inquest he 'did not mean to be dismissive.' A medic noted her heart rate was high but assumed the machine was broken. 'Definitely,' Jane said when asked if Bethan should have been admitted. 'She was so unwell. They didn't appreciate how unwell she was," she added. A neurology follow-up was arranged only after Jane threatened to escalate. Bethan 'could barely walk out of the hospital.' The next day, medics had 'no idea' why they were there – the referral hadn't been recorded. Again her heart rate was 'off the scale' and dismissed. Her breathing problems weren't checked. 6 Her mum Jane claims doctor dismissed her serious symptoms Credit: Gofundme Jane criticised Dr Willis for saying: 'He had seen a 17-year-old girl with similar symptoms and that she is now symptom free and fine.' She added: 'I have no idea how he could say this to Bethan without diagnosing her.' Blood tests were ordered, but Bethan was too dehydrated. Jane said: 'I felt they just wanted Bethan out of there as soon as possible.' Dr Willis told the inquest he was trying to reassure the family. He said her symptoms were rare for sepsis and only mild weakness was observed. Sepsis is the body's extreme and dangerous reaction to an infection. It can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death if not treated quickly. By February 8, 2020, Bethan was bedridden. Jane said she looked 'dreadful' and had pale nails. Despite her mum's offers to call an ambulance, Bethan said Dr Willis had told her she'd be fine. Jane eventually called 999. Paramedic Paul Humphries couldn't record her blood pressure – a sign of sepsis Jane only now understands. He requested a low-priority ambulance (P3), later upgraded to P2. 'I don't know why someone doesn't get a P1 when they are so unwell,' Jane said. Paul told the inquest he believed he acted appropriately. At hospital, they waited in the ambulance despite a bed being available. Bethan was finally triaged at 8:10pm and taken to resus over an hour later. 6 Jane (pictured with Steve) thinks the doctors would have treated her differently had she been 17 Credit: PA:Press Association 'They didn't know what they were doing' Jane described 'chaos' as medics struggled to insert a line and there was no clear lead on her care. 'She could hardly breathe and was so scared.' An anaesthetist sedated her. 'I felt that with that, her body lost its ability to fight.' Shortly after, Bethan had a cardiac arrest. 'As soon as I walked in, I knew she was dead,' Jane said. The mum said that a sepsis protocol should have been put in place early on and that her daughter. The NHS sepsis protocol requires urgent antibiotics, fluids, and monitoring within one hour of spotting sepsis symptoms. 'She should have had the right care straight away… It's heartbreaking as a mum to know her life could have been saved. "They didn't know what they were doing.' The inquest continues.
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Ex-England cricketer's daughter 'dismissed multiple times' by NHS before death
An inquest has heard how Bethan Amy James, the daughter of former England cricketer Steve James, was 'dismissed' by doctors before she died just 48 hours after being taken to hospital. The 21-year-old daughter of a former cricket star tragically died after being "dismissed" by doctors multiple times, an inquest has heard. Bethan Amy James, daughter of ex- England cricketer Steve James, passed away in hospital on February 9, 2020 after being admitted the previous day. Bethan's father, now a well-respected sports journalist, was covering Wales' Six Nations match in Ireland when she became seriously ill. Because of severe weather, he was unable to return home in time to see her before she died. The inquest into Ms James' untimely death began today at Pontypridd coroner's court, where it was revealed that Bethan had sought medical help several times before she went into hospital for the last time. Her mum, Jane James, told the inquest that she believed 'her life could have been saved', reports Wales Online. Speaking in person at the inquest, she described Bethan as a 'caring' and 'beautiful' person who always put others before herself. She explained that Bethan had suffered with gastrointestinal issues throughout most of her life, before she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2019 at the age of 20. Mrs James said her daughter took her diagnosis with 'great maturity'. Prior to her death Mrs James said Bethan had been studying journalism at the University of South Wales and dreamed of being a voice for those with Crohn's and related illnesses. It was heard how Bethan had started a vlog account where she documented her experience of the condition, before she became involved in a BBC documentary with Amy Dowden, who is also diagnosed with the condition. The documentary aired after Bethan's death, and the programme was dedicated to her memory. Paying tribute to her daughter Mrs James said: 'As a person she never moaned, she never made a fuss. She was very caring. She was just beautiful. 'She put people before herself. She was more interested in other people and their stories and I think that's why she would have made a brilliant journalist.' Describing the events leading up to her death, Mrs James said Bethan had first visited her GP on January 27, 2020 with fatigue and shortness of breath. Dr Jonathan Carnell gave her an urgent referral to NHS Wales' Llandough Hospital, where she was diagnosed with possible "community acquired pneumonia" - but Mrs James said this was not verbally communicated to her or her daughter by the hospital staff. Despite her illness, Bethan attended university to deliver a presentation the next day but returned "absolutely knackered", and later reported numbness in her right arm and severe nausea, the inquest heard. Over the following days, Bethan's symptoms worsened, including involuntary movements in her right arm and difficulties using her right hand. On February 2, she was taken to A&E at Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales, where a doctor dismissed her symptoms as a "hemiplegic migraine." Mrs James told the inquest: "I don't feel on the 2nd that they fully assessed her." Mrs James became emotional as she recounted how her daughter collapsed on Monday, February 3, due to being "so exhausted" from the hospital visits. After this incident, Mrs James stated an ambulance was called but despite the paramedics' arrival, her daughter refused to go to the hospital, feeling dismissed by various doctors and worn out from the long hours of waiting she had already experienced. Paramedics noted that Bethan's heart rate was high, but they couldn't force her to go to the hospital, it was heard. Two days later, on Wednesday, February 5, Bethan's symptoms continued in her right arm, and she also started experiencing numbness and problems with her right leg. "Myself and my husband knew we needed to do something to try and find out what was going on," Mrs James told the inquest. She said they took her back to A&E at the University Hospital of Wales. During this visit, Mrs James said they met Dr Ngua for the second time. She described him as "very, very dismissive" of her daughter and said that he said words to the effect of: "You again! You were here on Sunday." Speaking during the inquest, Dr Ngua said he "did not mean to be dismissive" when he made that comment. He said on reflection Bethan's high heart rate could have been investigated further. Mrs James said while in the hospital waiting area a medic came and did an observation of her daughter. During this, she explained how her heart rate appeared unusually high, though this was initially dismissed by hospital staff as a fault with the machine, she said. Mrs James said a neurology referral was only arranged for the next day after she threatened to escalate the matter to the board seniors, and they went home. However, upon their arrival she said there was 'no record' of the referral appointment and that medics had 'no idea' why they were there. She described this as 'appalling'. By February 8, Bethan was more unwell at home, she said, and 'looked dreadful' with bags under her eyes, and nails so pale she thought she was wearing white nail polish. After Mrs James rang 999, the first person to arrive was a rapid response paramedic named Paul Humphries. Mrs James said Mr Humphries could not record Bethan's blood pressure properly. In hindsight Mrs James said she now knows this is a sign of sepsis. She said the 'signs' of sepsis were 'right in front' of Mr Humphries. The inquest heard how initially Mr Humphries called for a P3 ambulance response, which refers to a low priority. He later escalated this to a P2. Speaking during the inquest, Mr Humphries said he believes he dealt with Bethan appropriately, adding: 'I didn't come away from that incident thinking I did a bad job.' When an ambulance turned upm Mrs James said she didn't sense any 'rush' to get her daughter to hospital. She finally arrived at 7.45pm following a 12 minute journey, it was heard. Mrs James described that on arrival at the NHS University Hospital of Wales they had to wait in the ambulance outside the hospital for a considerable amount of She said the family 'now know' there was a bed available, claiming her daughter wasn't 'deemed unwell enough' to have it. At 8.10pm Ms James was triaged before she went down to the resus deparment at 9.15pm. Mrs James said it occurred to her that her daughter was only at this point going down to where she needed to be to receive help, some three hours after the ambulance had been called. She described there being 'chaos' at the hospital as medics struggled to administer a line into Bethan, and with nobody clearly in charge of her care. Mrs James said she believes it should have been administered in her daughter's neck instead for easier access, or that she should have been taken down to intensive care. While this was ongoing Mrs James said her daughter was awake, could 'hardly breathe' and was 'so scared'. After a wait, Mrs James said an anaesthetist came down and Bethan was put to sleep. Mrs James said she felt that from this point onwards, her daughter's body lost its ability to fight. She said she was asked to leave the room at around 9.25pm before she was told that her daughter had a cardiac arrest a short time later. Mrs James recalled being told that medics were treating her daughter and asked if she wanted to be with Bethan as she passed away. 'As soon as I walked in, I knew she was dead,' Mrs James said. She said she felt that a sepsis protocol should have been put in place early on and that her daughter 'should have had the right care straight away'. She added: 'It's heartbreaking as a mum to know that her life could have been saved. They didn't know what they were doing.' The inquest continues.
