Mum died after advice not to go to hospital - inquest

A mother-of-three died at home after she was told she did not need to go to hospital, an inquest heard.

Charlotte Alderson, 34, who lived in Mildenhall, Suffolk, had been vomiting and complained of excruciating headaches before she died on 21 December 2022.

A five-day inquest into her death has began at Suffolk Coroner's Court where it was heard her husband Stuart Alderson was advised by paramedics she did not need to go to hospital and could face a 14-hour wait there.

After her death it was revealed Mrs Alderson had group A streptococcus - a common type of bacteria.

The inquest heard Mrs Alderson initially began to feel unwell on 15 December with a cold and earache, and continued to feel this way for several more days.

Dr Victoria Clifton, a GP from Mrs Alderson's surgery in Mildenhall, told the inquest jury she had treated Mrs Alderson on 19 December for earache and took a throat swab to see if antibiotics were needed.

Mrs Alderson was told the test would take a few days to come back.

On the day his wife died, Mr Alderson, who was in court with Mrs Alderson's parents, said in a statement he had called 111 as well as 999 when his wife's symptoms worsened, and an NHS East of England Ambulance was sent.

Paramedics carried out an electrocardiogram test on her heart, but informed Mr Alderson not to take his wife to hospital where she could face a long wait, the jury heard.

Later that day, Mr Alderson left their house to get his wife medication, but when he returned he found one of their children at the window who said: "Mummy has fallen to the floor and won't answer me."

The court heard he found his wife unresponsive and he rang 999, but minutes later she stopped breathing.

Mr Alderson along with a neighbour tried to resuscitate his wife before a second paramedic crew arrived and took over, but confirmed she had died.

The inquest continues.

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