Norfolk coroner rules Julie Hurn's death was not neglect

Julie Hurn died when she was 43 at her home in Attleborough, just hours after calling for an ambulance with chest pains.

An inquest into her death concluded today (Thursday), having heard evidence about the extreme pressures the local NHS system was facing at the time of her death.

Norfolk Coroner's Court heard that Mrs Hurn's condition deteriorated as she waited for an ambulance. Just 90 minutes after her original call, she went into cardiac arrest.

It was not until a third 999 call from a neighbour that an emergency response was sent to her home - but she could not be saved.

Professor Saul Myerson, a consultant cardiologist based at the University of Oxford, previously told the court that had paramedics been present when she went into cardiac arrest, she would more likely have survived.

But at the conclusion of the inquest, area coroner Yvonne Blake said she did not consider the delays in providing emergency care to have been neglectful.

The court had heard that on the day of Mrs Hurn's death - on June 25, 2022 - the NHS was facing "high pressure" with ambulances stranded outside over-run hospitals.

Mrs Blake said these delays were "outside of the control" of both the East of England Ambulance Service Trust and the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

The coroner said: "I believe there was not neglect from either trust because they were restricted by outside forces."

She gave a narrative conclusion describing the circumstances of Mrs Hurn's death.

In this, Mrs Blake said: "Unfortunately, despite advanced life support, Mrs Hurn could not be resuscitated."

Ambulances queued outside the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Picture: Mike Page (Image: Mike Page)

FAMILY "SADDENED" BY EVIDENCE

Following the inquest, members of Mrs Hurn's family issued a statement through their solicitor. 

Clare Gooch, of Switalskis, said: "This has been an incredibly painful time for Julie's family, who are still coming to terms with their loss under such difficult and distressing circumstances.

“Julie was a much-loved mother of two, a devoted daughter, sister, and friend, and her sudden passing has left a deep void in the lives of those who knew her.

"The family is still grieving, and they now need time to process all of the information and evidence that has emerged during the course of this inquest.

“They are particularly saddened, however, by the evidence provided by various experts which suggests that had Julie received treatment sooner, the outcome could have been very different.

"It is devastating for them to accept that she was left in such pain for so long while waiting for medical help.

“Julie’s family have shown great courage throughout this process.

"They understand that nothing will bring Julie back, but they hope that the attention drawn to her case will highlight the impact that delays in emergency response times have on families like theirs.

“They believe it is vital that these issues are addressed to prevent further tragedies and to ensure that no other family has to suffer in the same way.

“As a contracts manager for Norfolk County Council, Julie dedicated her life to serving others, and her family hopes that her death will now serve as a catalyst for positive change within the health service, particularly during times of extreme pressure on resources.”