Bethan James and the campaign to prevent avoidable sepsis casualties
It has been six years since Bethan James, a young woman who had once spoken of her hopes for a future with a fulfilling career, a partner, and perhaps children, died at age 21 from a combination of sepsis, pneumonia and Crohn’s disease, after her sepsis went unrecognised and urgent treatment was delayed.
Her parents believe the medical care she received fell below a reasonable standard and are now campaigning for stronger sepsis‑awareness training, fearing similar failings could still occur. Their concern is reinforced by national data showing the scale of the problem, as around 245,000 cases of sepsis occur in the UK each year, and an estimated 48,000 people die annually, making sepsis a leading cause of death and responsible for more fatalities than several major cancers combined.
A BBC investigation has also found that most hospitals in Wales still do not require mandatory sepsis training, including the hospital where Bethan died, leaving her parents devastated by what they describe as a preventable loss.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a life‑threatening condition that happens when the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection and begins to damage its own tissues and organs. It can develop from common infections such as chest infections, urinary tract infections or abdominal infections, and it often becomes dangerous very quickly. Because the immune system goes into overdrive instead of fighting the infection normally, this can lead to organ failure, shock, and, without urgent treatment, death.
Sepsis can be difficult to spot because its early symptoms, such as fever, chills, fast breathing, confusion or feeling extremely unwell, can look similar to those of many other illnesses. It is always a medical emergency, and anyone who shows signs of rapidly worsening infection should seek urgent medical care so that treatment can begin immediately.
Preventing sepsis fatalities
Preventing deaths from sepsis depends on recognising it early, treating it quickly and reducing the likelihood of infections in the first place. Updated national guidance emphasises that early identification is crucial, and tools such as the NEWS2 scoring system are now used in hospitals and ambulance services to help clinicians spot when someone is deteriorating and may need urgent antibiotics.
Health authorities also stress that infections must be managed promptly, even when they are mild, because acting early can stop them from progressing to serious illness. Once sepsis is suspected, timely treatment is vital, as delays in giving antibiotics can significantly increase the risk of organ failure and death. The guidance sets clear expectations on how quickly patients should receive them based on their level of risk.
Reducing infections more generally is another important way to prevent sepsis. Vaccinations can protect against illnesses that often trigger sepsis, and simple steps such as good hand hygiene, keeping wounds clean and managing long-term health conditions lower the overall risk of severe infection.
Public awareness also plays a major role. Many people do not realise how quickly sepsis can develop, so knowing warning signs – such as confusion, breathlessness, extreme pain, fever or clammy skin – and seeking immediate medical help can save lives. Health services are investing in training to help professionals recognise these signs too, including updated programmes covering adults, children, community care and maternity settings, all designed to improve early detection wherever patients first seek help.
Because most sepsis cases begin outside hospital, spotting problems early in the community is essential. Strengthening understanding among both professionals and the public, particularly people at higher risk, such as those with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, very young children and older adults, helps ensure that signs of infection are taken seriously before they escalate. Taken together, these measures form a simple but powerful message: prevent infections when you can, recognise sepsis early, and act fast if symptoms appear.
Alison Johnson, partner in the medical negligence team at Penningtons Manches Cooper, comments: “Our specialists have advised on cases where sepsis has sadly led to the death of patients across a range of different ages. We have also concluded claims where earlier referral to hospital for urgent sepsis treatment would have avoided acute, very painful, and distressing injuries. A number of patients have been lucky to survive, but have then required life-support treatment and endured slow and difficult recoveries. Alongside the physical injuries these patients suffered, the events understandably had a huge impact on their mental health, impacting on their relationships, ability to work, income and lifestyle.”
A further case example demonstrating the catastrophic impact of sepsis in a young person is set out here.