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'Bethan had a brilliant and full life ahead of her, but it was taken away. It could so easily have been avoided...'
Western Mail
|June 18, 2025
THE parents of 21-year-old Bethan James, whose death could have been avoided, hit out at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board for failing to take accountability over the death of their daughter.
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After the conclusion, Steve and Jane James delivered an emotional statement, read to the press by their advocate, Richard Booth KC.
The family, who live in St Mellons in Cardiff, pleaded with the Welsh Government to implement Martha's Rule across the NHS in Wales.
Here is the family’s full statement:
“It is over five years since Bethan died, but the pain and grief are still indescribable and will always be so. Our hearts are broken forever and we miss her dreadfully.
“We know that Bethan should not have died and we have always felt that she was let down by the healthcare professionals who should have been there to help and support her.
“Bethan was just too kind and caring; never one to make a fuss or complain about anything. And even when we tried to advocate on her behalf we were dismissed and we were not listened to by the doctors and nurses.
This story is from the June 18, 2025 edition of Western Mail.
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