Overview

• Bethan James, a 21-year-old journalism student diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, died on February 9, 2020, from sepsis, pneumonia and her underlying condition after multiple clinical encounters
• Family witnesses told the inquest that doctors repeatedly dismissed her worsening symptoms, with one consultant attributing her condition to a migraine rather than investigating infection
• Emergency Medical Technician Aaron Hook said no pre-alert was sent ahead of Bethan’s arrival and that a senior nurse reported no beds were available, delaying her transfer to resuscitation
• Paramedics and relatives argued that early recognition and treatment of sepsis through established protocols could have prevented her rapid decline
• The ongoing hearing at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court is examining systemic failures under Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and will determine lessons for future sepsis care