Medical Negligence Lawyers Secure Answers As Husband Dies Hours After Care Failings

A grieving widow has issued a sepsis warning following her husband’s death hours after paramedics failed to take him to hospital with the life-threatening condition. 

Steve Holbrook-Sishton, a former teacher and college tutor, had developed the condition, which sees the body attack itself in response to an infection, after contracting covid-19 days after a booster jab.

His wife Jan called the NHS 111 helpline concerned her husband of 35 years was disorientated, had a temperature of 40 degrees, was breathless and had only passed a small amount of urine over 15 hours.

Paramedics didn't consider Steve had sepsis despite showing signs of the condition

More than three hours after the initial call, paramedics arrived at the couple’s home in Storrington, West Sussex. 

Despite the 67-year-old’s vital signs indicating he may have needed an urgent assessment for suspected sepsis, the ambulance crew did not consider that the dad-of-three might have the condition or consider taking him to hospital. 

Just over two hours after the crew left, Jan called 999, concerned about her husband’s deteriorating condition. She was told an ambulance with an average response time of 18 minutes would be dispatched.  However, around an hour, Jan had to call 999 again to chase up where the ambulance was. 

By the time a crew arrived just over two hours after Jan’s call to 999, Steve, who helped care for his daughter Maddy, aged 39, who has cerebral palsy, had died. 

Family asks medical negligence lawyers to investigate Steve's care

Following his death, Jan, aged 70, instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate Steve’s care. 

Jan and her legal team are now marking Sepsis Awareness Month by calling for lessons to be learned to improve care for others. 

Ambulance Trust admits breach of duty and issues official apology

This comes after South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust admitted a breach of duty in connection with Steve’s death. The Trust admitted that if paramedics had taken to Steve to hospital and he had received appropriate care within two hours, he would not have died on the day he did. 

In a letter to Jan, Simon Welder, the Ambulance Trust’s chief executive apologised for the “mismanagement” of Steve’s care. 

He added: “Words cannot express how deeply sorry we are. This is not the standard of care the Trust
strive to provide and I am truly sorry for the Trust’s failings.”

Irwin Mitchell and the Ambulance Trust are now working towards a settlement for Steve’s loved ones, in connection with his death. 

Laura Hayes-Payne is the expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Jan.

Expert Opinion

“The admitted failings in Steve’s care are deeply concerning and highlight the devastating consequences of when sepsis isn’t recognised.

“We and Jan firmly believe that Steve’s symptoms should have prompted an urgent admission to hospital, and once there, he would have received the life-saving treatment he needed.

“While we welcome the Ambulance Trust’s admission and apology, it’s vital that lessons are learned from Steve’s case to ensure other families don’t suffer like Jan and her family have.

“Sepsis is a medical emergency and early detection is vital to saving lives.” Laura Hayes-Payne

Sepsis: Steve Holbrook-Sishton's story

On 16 October, 2021, Steve received his third Covid-19 vaccine but developed a high fever and breathing difficulties after contracting the virus. On 26 October, he tested positive for Covid-19 and began experiencing confusion and poor urine output.

At around 10.40pm on 30 October, Jan called NHS 111. 

Just after 1am, she called 999 to check when the ambulance would arrive. Paramedics reached their home at just before 2.10am but did not suspect sepsis. They left just over an hour later.

Just before 5.30am, Jan called 999 again, as Steve’s breathing had worsened. The call was triaged as category 2, usually having an average response time of 18 minutes.

Jan called 999 again at around 6.25am, reporting that Steve was gasping for breath and was unresponsive.

By the time a second ambulance crew arrived just before 7.40am, Steve had died. 

Jan pays tribute to kindest soul Steve as she supports sepsis awareness campaign

Jan, who has three children, Maddy, 39, Alex, 37, and Marcus, 30, with Steve, said: “Steve was my better half. He was a loving husband, an incredible dad, and the kindest soul you could ever meet. 

“He was the unique presence that held our family together. Watching him slip away, knowing something was horribly wrong but feeling powerless, was the most terrible experience of my life. 

“I knew something wasn’t right but when the first ambulance crew left, I don’t think Steve had been fully assessed and we weren’t given any advice. When the second crew finally arrived I just said “you’re too late, he’s already dead.” That moment will stay with me forever. 

“The pain of losing Steve remains as raw now approaching four years on as it did the day he died. The hardest thing to try and come to terms with is knowing that he might still be here if he’d received the care he needed and deserved. 

“I know Steve would want his story told. He’d want people to understand how serious sepsis is, and he’d want to help save others. I’m speaking out to honour Steve and to make sure others don’t have to endure what we have. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.”

The signs of sepsis and support available

Signs of sepsis include slurred speech, confusion, extreme shivering and muscle pain, passing no urine in a day, severe breathlessness and mottled or discoloured skin. 

Sepsis Awareness Month runs throughout September. More information about the signs and symptoms of sepsis can be found on the website of the charity UK Sepsis Trust.

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting patients and families affected by sepsis at our dedicated sepsis claims section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.