WHEN “beloved” mum Sharzia Bibi was admitted to A&E with severe stomach pain, medics thought she had a water or pelvic infection.
But they didn't consider she had sepsis – despite the fact she had signs of the condition including a high heart rate and a decreased functional ability.
Sharzia died after doctors failed to give her antibiotics to treat the life-threatening condition.
And her family have now spoken out about her devastating death for the first time.
Sharzia was admitted to A&E in Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester after complaining of severe stomach pain and bleeding.
But doctors medics didn't consider she had sepsis.
The mum-of-two was meant to be given oral antibiotics but didn't receive them for nine hours, and when she did, they were not suitable for her incorrect diagnosis.
She also should have been monitored every four hours but hospital staff didn't assess her for more than nine hours.
However following concerns about her condition, Sharzia underwent emergency surgery – where she was then diagnosed with sepsis – and was then transferred to intensive care and put on intravenous antibiotics.
Sharzia then suffered a cardiac arrest and died in November 2023.
Her husband Hassan, 30, says he was given “no indication” that his wife had sepsis when she was in hospital.
He said: “When I took Sharzia to hospital she was in excruciating pain but at no point was I given any indication she had sepsis.
“The impact of her death on our family has been immense.
“Sharzia was an exceptional wife, mum, and daughter-in-law.
“Our lives changed forever from the moment she was taken from us far too soon.
“As a young family we had so many hopes and dreams for the future that we'll never get to fulfil.”
Hassan has been left to bring up the couple's sons, Subhan, four, and Abbas, two, and says that all three of them “will never get over” Sharzia's death.
He added that he wants to highlight what happened, so other families don't have to go through the same thing.
I don't think we'll ever get over losing Sharzia in the way we did
Hassan Bibi
Hassan, of Levenshulme, Greater Manchester, said: “As a single dad, I'm taking care of the children and am worried about their future.
“I don't think we'll ever get over losing Sharzia in the way we did.
“It's hard not to feel angry that I've lost my beautiful wife and that the kids have lost their amazing mummy.
“I'll always make sure that the children will know about their mum, how much she loved them and how proud she was of them, but it's not the same as having her in their lives.
“It's too late for Sharzia but by speaking out I hope we can highlight the human cost of care issues so others don't have to go through what we have.
“I wouldn't wish the pain our family continues to experience on anyone.”
Who gets sepsis and what causes it?
Sepsis can affect anyone. The condition occurs when the body's immune system has an overeaction to an infection.
As a result, the body attacks itself.
Some people are more likely to get an infection that could lead to sepsis, however.
This includes babies under the age of one, people over 75 years old, people with diabetes or a weak immune system (either due to treatment, a condition or genetically), people who have recently had surgery or given birth.
Any infection can lead to sepsis. But those more likely to are those of:
- Lungs, such as pneumonia.
- Kidney, bladder and other parts of the urinary system
- Digestive system
- Bloodstream
- Catheter sites
- Wounds or burns
Following Sharzia's death, her family instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate and secure answers.
The Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Wythenshawe Hospital, admitted liability for Sharzia's death in a civil claim brought by Irwin Mitchell.
They admitted that were it not for the failures in care, on the balance of probabilities, Sharzia would not have died when she did.
A separate inquest into Sharzia's death at Manchester Coroner's Court concluded that Sharzia died of “neglect” following “gross failures” in her care.
Coroner James Lester-Ashworth recorded a narrative conclusion on Tuesday (March 18) making six findings of gross failings in Sharzia's care which amounted to neglect.
Her dad Khalad Sahid, 55, says it's difficult to think that his “beloved daughter” would still be alive if she “got the care she deserved.”
It's difficult not to think that Sharzia would still be alive had she had been given the care she deserved
Khalad Sahid
He said: “Sharzia was my beloved daughter and will be missed dearly.
“She's left behind two beautiful boys who are now aged two and four as well as her devastated husband.
“For me as a father, this is beyond words.
“The findings of the coroner demonstrates that Sharzia didn't receive the basic medical care that she so desperately needed.
“The trust failed her repeatedly and in so many ways.
“It's difficult not to think that Sharzia would still be alive had she had been given the care she deserved.”
Speaking after the inquest, specialist medical negligence lawyer Sarah Sharples said: “This is a truly tragic case which has left Sharzia's family devastated.
“Understandably her loved ones have had a number of questions about Sharzia's care and whether more should have been to help her.
“Our own legal investigations, which resulted in the trust admitting liability in a civil claim, and the inquest which concluded Sharzia died of neglect, have sadly validated those concerns.
“Nothing can ever make up for what's happened, but we urge the Trust to reflect on this case and ensure patient safety is upheld at all times so other families don't have to endure a similar trauma.
“Sharzia's death is a stark reminder of the dangers of sepsis and how early detection and treatment are key to beating it.”
A Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: “We wish again to extend our condolences and sincere sympathies to Mrs Bibi's family at this incredibly difficult time.
“The Trust has conducted a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mrs Bibi's sad death, and we apologise that our care fell short of the high standards to which we aspire.
“We are committed to providing the best care possible for our patients.
“We will be reviewing the coroner's conclusion carefully to ensure further learning for the trust is addressed and applied to our ongoing efforts to improve our patient safety, quality of care and experience.”
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
SEPSIS is a life-threatening reaction to an infection that happens when your immune system overreacts and starts to damage your body's own tissues and organs.
Symptoms of sepsis in an adult include:
- Acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
- Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- Difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast
Symptoms in a child include:
- Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- Difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast
- A weak, high-pitched cry that's not like their normal cry
- Not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
- Being sleepier than normal or having difficulty waking
They may not have all these symptoms.
If you think you or someone else has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E.
Source: NHS
