A Free Healthcare Fail In The UK

A UK coroner’s court just heard that a 97 year old resident of the Isle of Wight, known to have broken her hip, died during her 10 day wait for an ambulance.  Another triumph of the UK's free National Health Service:

https://www.countypress.co.uk/news/25854413.isle-wight-woman-97-died-10-day-wait-get-hospital/

Isle of Wight woman, 97, died during 10-day wait to get to hospital
By Court reporter - 14th February

A 97-year-old Isle of Wight woman died after being told she would have to wait ten days to be transferred to hospital for an X-ray following a suspected fractured hip, a coroner’s court has heard.

Babette Dorothy Burge, from Newport, died on October 19, 2025, before the appointment took place.

An inquest into her death was opened at the IW Coroner’s Court on Friday, February 13.

The court heard that Mrs Burge was found on the floor of her home on October 14 by her carer following a suspected fall.

A paramedic from a local GP surgery attended the address to assess her condition.

During the examination, it was found that Mrs Burge’s leg was “shortened and rotated,” indicating a fractured or broken hip.

Despite her age, immobility, and the seriousness of the injury, the court was told that Mrs Burge was not transferred immediately to the hospital.

Instead, she was informed that a transfer from her home to St Mary’s Hospital would be organised for ten days' time.

However, Mrs Burge died before that appointment could take place.

The court heard that when her carer returned on October 19, they noticed mottling to Mrs Burge’s skin and that she was breathing rapidly.

Shortly before 1pm, during the carer’s visit, Mrs Burge stopped breathing and died.

Her medical cause of death was given as pneumonia, with immobility and a fracture of her left femoral neck (the bone connecting thigh to hip) were recorded as contributing factors.

Coroner Caroline Sumeray offered her condolences to Mrs Burge’s family and set a provisional date of August 12 for a full inquest.

The inquest is expected to examine the circumstances of Mrs Burge’s death, the delay in transfer and the care provided following Mrs Burge’s fall.

Don't get sick in the UK.