97-year-old Babette Burge was scheduled for transfer to St Mary’s Hospital but fell before the ambulance could arrive. Despite her age and serious injury, she was told she would have to wait ten days for transport
A 97-year-old woman from the Isle of Wight died after being told she would have to wait ten days for an ambulance for a suspected fractured hip, the coroner’s court heard.
According to a Daily Mail report, Babette Burge was found on the floor of her home in Newport, Isle of Wight, by a carer on October 19, 2025.
Five days earlier, a paramedic from a local GP surgery had assessed her and noted that her leg was “shortened and rotated,” a classic sign of a fractured hip, added the report.
Burge was scheduled for transfer to St Mary’s Hospital in Newport, but she suffered a fall before the ambulance could arrive.
Despite her advanced age, immobility, and the severity of her injury, the court was told that Burge was not immediately transferred to hospital.
She was instead informed that an ambulance to take her from her home to St Mary’s Hospital would not be available for ten days.
Burge died before the transfer could occur.
An inquest into her death was opened at the Isle of Wight Coroner’s Court on February 13.
According to the report, an inquest at the court recorded pneumonia as the cause of death, with immobility and a left femoral fracture listed as contributing factors.
Mottling was also observed on her skin, indicating reduced blood flow often associated with poor circulation or cold conditions, added the report.
Coroner Caroline Sumeray extended her condolences to Burge’s family and set a provisional date of August 12 for a full inquest.
The inquest will examine the ambulance delay and the care provided following Burge’s fall.
With inputs from agencies
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