A devoted father died just five hours after paramedics failed to spot crucial sepsis warning signs, an inquest has heard. Steve Holbrook-Sishton, 67, a former teacher and college tutor, developed sepsis in October 2021 after contracting Covid shortly after receiving his booster vaccine.
His wife Jan Holbrook dialled NHS 111 after becoming alarmed by his symptoms. An ambulance crew arrived more than three hours later and spent an hour examining him before leaving, failing to recognise the disease despite clear signs. When Steve's condition worsened hours later, Jan called 999 again and was promised an ambulance within 20 minutes, but it arrived more than two hours late. By then, Steve had died at their home in Storrington, West Sussex.
Jan said: 'I knew something wasn't right but when the first ambulance crew left, I don't think Steve had been fully assessed. When the second crew finally arrived I just said "you're too late, he's already dead". That moment will stay with me forever.' South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust has admitted a breach of duty, acknowledging that if paramedics had taken Steve to hospital promptly, he would not have died.
Trust chief executive Simon Welder wrote to Jan expressing 'deep regret' for the mismanagement of Steve's care. The family is now seeking a settlement through Irwin Mitchell. Medical negligence lawyer Laura Hayes-Payne said: 'The admitted failings highlight the devastating consequences of when sepsis isn't recognised.'
