![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/92746611_1752662223451439_r.jpg\")
Yvonne tragically contracted rabies abroad after a tiny scratch from a dog (Image: Robyn Thomson )<\/p>\nYvonne Ford contracted rabies on a holiday to Morocco and unexpectedly died on June 11<\/p>\n
11:28, 05 Dec 2025Updated 11:41, 05 Dec 2025<\/p>\n
Yvonne tragically contracted rabies abroad after a tiny scratch from a dog (Image: Robyn Thomson )<\/p>\n
The family of a woman who died after contracting rabies from a dog scratch<\/a> have questioned the NHS “being ready” to deal with her ailment, a pre-inquest hearing has heard.<\/p>\n Yvonne Ford, 59, had died weeks after being scratched by a puppy while on holiday in Morocco this year. She had contracted rabies from the scratch and died in hospital on June 11. Attended by family, including daughter Robyn Thomson and husband Ron Ford, the pre-inquest hearing was held at Sheffield\u2019s Medico Legal Centre <\/a>today (December 5), in preparation for the full inquest next year.<\/p>\n The inquest comes as the family prepare for their first Christmas without their “beautiful mum” – as well as what would have been her 60th birthday. Yvonne fell ill at the end of May and, despite treatment at Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, tragically and unexpectedly died.<\/p>\n Attending the court today, the family questioned whether the NHS were “ready” to deal with a diagnosis as severe as Yvonne\u2019s. During the pre-inquest hearing, the family also discussed their concerns about details that were passed to them during Yvonne\u2019s treatment, including a phone call where they claimed that they were assured Yvonne \u201cdid not have rabies\u201d. Speaking to the court, Ron said: \u201cI want to ask the doctors themselves why certain things were missed.”<\/p>\n Explaining to the family, Assistant Coroner Ms Whittle said that in spite of the family’s \u201cburning desires to ask [doctors involved in Yvonne\u2019s case] certain questions,\u201d the role of the coroner was to answer the \u201cwho, what, when, where and how\u201d of the case. As a result, six witnesses were agreed to attend in front of a jury – due to the nature of the disease being classed as \u201cnotifiable\u201d.<\/p>\n In a tribute earlier this year, Yvonne’s daughter, Robyn posted a tribute to her mum on Facebook. The tribute read: “Our family is still processing this unimaginable loss, but we are choosing to speak up in the hope of preventing this from happening to others.<\/p>\n “Yvonne Ford, Ron Ford’s wife and our Mum, died of rabies. She was scratched very slightly by a puppy in Morocco in February. At the time, she did not think any harm would come of it and didn\u2019t think much of it. Two weeks ago she became ill, starting with a headache and resulted in her losing her ability to walk, talk, sleep, swallow. Resulting in her passing.”<\/p>\n A full four-day inquest into Yvonne\u2019s death is set to take place next year from March 2.<\/p>\n Get all the latest big and breaking Yorkshire news straight to your mobile via WhatsApp by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t like our community, you can leave any time. We also treat members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Read our privacy notice here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_IMG_1152.jpg\")
Daughter Robyn Thomson is bravely raising money to prevent her mothers fate from ‘happening to others'(Image: Robyn Thomson)![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_WhatsApp-Image-2024-02-06-at-105818jpeg.jpg\")
Get breaking news in Yorkshire straight to your phone<\/p>\n