Warning: This article contains distressing content
A grandmother who lost four fingers and a thumb to sepsis believes more should have been done to help her during her first hospital visit.
Shirley Bartram, from Gravesend, was taken by ambulance to Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford with severe pain in her left side and vomiting.
Shirley Bartram spent more than four weeks in intensive care and nine weeks in hospital. Picture: Shirley Bartram
After tests, the mum-of-four, who had not passed urine for 12 hours and had a raised heart rate, was diagnosed with a suspected kidney infection.
However, despite being prescribed intravenous antibiotics, she was discharged hours later with the medics failing to administer them.
Instead, she was sent home with oral antibiotics which health bosses admit, following legal submissions by medical negligence lawyers Irwin Mitchell, were inappropriate to treat her condition.
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust told KentOnline it had acknowledged “shortcomings” in certain aspects of the care provided and apologised for the distress and complications experienced by Ms Bartram and her family.
After being sent home following her initial visit to hospital on September 14, 2022, Shirley was sick through the night and was re-admitted to hospital the day after.
Following treatment for sepsis, tissue in Shirley Bartram’s hands and feet started to die. Picture: Shirley BartramShirley Bartram was put in an induced coma and spent more than four weeks in intensive care and nine weeks in hospital. Picture: Shirley Bartram
She was then diagnosed with sepsis believed to be caused by her kidney infection.
With her condition deteriorating and her organs failing, the 69-year-old was put in an induced coma.
Shirley spent more than four weeks in intensive care and nine weeks in hospital.
After treatment for sepsis, tissue in her hands and feet started to die and four of Shirley’s fingers and a thumb dropped off. She also lost the tips of all her toes.
Shirley said: “Before all this happened, I was independent and active. Now, I struggle with the simplest things that many people take for granted.
“Holding a pen is impossible and I need help with things I used to do without thinking — buttoning clothes, washing my hair, preparing meals. I can’t manage stairs without help.”
Shirley Bartram says she has struggled to accept what has happened. Picture: Shirley Bartram
But, in addition to the physical symptoms, the grandmother says the process has been emotional too as she feels very self-conscious about her hands.
After being discharged from hospital, Shirley has continued to suffer with infections linked to her sepsis.
The mum-of-four only has her fourth and little finger remaining on her right hand, while on her left hand she has lost her index finger and little fingers.
Her toes are gradually self-amputating and the bones in her feet have also changed shape.
Shirley, who now lives with her daughter, Kelly, has also suffered repeated swelling in her right hip because of infections.
Shirley lost the tips of all of her toes. Picture: Shirley BartramShirley Bartram and her daughter. Picture: Shirley Bartram
She said: “I can’t thank Kelly enough for everything she does for me but it’s upsetting to think about what has happened and how much independence I’ve lost. It’s hard to accept.
“I’m still concerned whether everything possible was done to prevent what happened to me and the least I feel I deserve is answers.
“However, I just hope that by sharing my story I can raise awareness of how dangerous sepsis is so others don’t have to go endure what I have.”
Shirley, who now struggles to carry out daily tasks such as cooking and walking, instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care under Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, which runs Darent Valley Hospital.
Following legal submissions, the Trust admitted a breach of duty by failing to administer intravenous antibiotics and sending Shirley home with inappropriate oral antibiotics on September 14, 2022.
However, the Trust said it was not liable for her injuries.
Four of Shirley’s fingers and a thumb dropped off as a result of sepsis. Picture: Shirley Bartram
With legal investigations continuing, Shirley and her legal team are using Sepsis Awareness Month to raise awareness of the signs of the condition, which sees the body attack itself in response to an infection.
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. For more information visit www.sepsistrust.org
Josh Beszant, the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Shirley, said: “The last few years and coming to terms with her life-changing injuries has been incredibly difficult for Shirley.
“She was previously very independent but has now lost this and is more reliant on her family.
Shirley Bartram from Gravesend was taken by ambulance to Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford on September 14, 2022. Picture: Shirley Bartram
“While the Trust has admitted that intravenous antibiotics should have been given, but were not, Shirley firmly believes more should have been done to help and monitor her during her first hospital visit.
“Nothing can make up for what she’s been through, but we’re determined to secure Shirley with access to the specialist support and therapies she requires.”
The firm are calling on the Trust to resolve the remaining issues in this case.
A Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust spokesperson said: “The Trust is very sorry for the distress and complications experienced by Ms Bartram and her family.
“We recognise how deeply personal and difficult this is for everyone involved. While legal proceedings are ongoing, and to respect patient confidentiality, we cannot comment on individual clinical details.
llowing treatment for sepsis, tissue in Shirley Bartram’s hands and feet started to die. Picture: Shirley Bartram
“However, we have acknowledged shortcomings in certain aspects of the care provided, and we are fully cooperating with the legal process that will determine cause and effect.
“We remain committed to learning and strengthening our procedures to ensure the highest standards of safety and care for all our patients.
“We actively support national initiatives to raise awareness of the signs of sepsis.
“Early recognition and prompt treatment are vital, and we remain dedicated to working with our staff and the wider community to promote greater understanding of this serious condition.”