Student Nurse Who Thought She Was ‘Burnt Out’ Dies Of Sepsis

Zoe Bell, a 28-year-old student nurse, thought she was just feeling “burnt out” after working long, exhausting shifts.

But what started as a sore throat quickly escalated, and tragically, just days later, Zoe passed away from sepsis on Christmas Eve, 2022, after spending hours in A&E at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire.

It’s a heartbreaking story. Zoe had been working extra hours, trying to save for her studies, and thought she was just run down.

But by December 23, her symptoms had worsened, and her partner, Phillip Ayres, rushed her to the hospital. Even though Zoe was coughing up blood and struggling to speak, it took hours before doctors saw her.

Phillip shared his frustration, saying that the staff “made it seem as though there was nothing to worry about.”

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After waiting 12 hours, Zoe was finally seen by a doctor who suspected she had laryngitis. Sadly, it was much worse than that, and her condition rapidly declined.

On Christmas Eve, Zoe was moved to another part of A&E and for a brief moment, she seemed to improve.

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But by 12:30 p.m., her health took a turn for the worse. She was rushed into the ICU and later that same day, Zoe tragically died from heart failure caused by sepsis, bronchopneumonia, and a viral infection.

Phillip described Zoe’s death as a “loss to the NHS for her kindness and compassion and sheer determination.”

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He heartbreakingly said: “It seems that the very thing she worked so hard towards was the very thing that let her down.”

Sepsis, the illness that took Zoe’s life, is often referred to as “the silent killer.” It happens when the body’s response to an infection causes tissue damage and organ failure.

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Common symptoms like fever or rapid breathing can easily be mistaken for something minor — just like Zoe’s sore throat.

What makes sepsis especially dangerous is how fast it can escalate. If Zoe had been given antibiotics earlier, doctors believe her life could have been saved.

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Her story is a tragic reminder of the importance of listening to your body when something feels wrong and recognizing the signs of sepsis early.

Karen Bonner, Chief Nurse of Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, expressed her sorrow about Zoe’s passing.

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“Such a tragic death of a young person at the start of her nursing career has deeply affected many colleagues at the Trust, especially those who had the privilege to work with Zoe,” she said.

The investigation into Zoe’s death is ongoing, but one thing is clear: her loss is a devastating reminder of how critical it is to get the right medical care when sepsis is suspected.

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Early recognition and treatment can save lives, so it’s very important to seek immediate medical attention when necessary!