A mum-of-two has had “extensive amputation surgery” after a hospital trust did not recognise and commence treatment for her sepsis sooner, an official investigation has found.

Sadie Kemp, 35, from Sawtry, has had all 10 fingers amputated and her legs at the ankles amputated since her diagnosis and is calling for lessons to be learned.

Ms Kemp was admitted to A&E at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon, after falling ill on Christmas Day, but there were delays in initiating the procedures to treat suspected sepsis.

Ms Kemp arrived at hospital initially complaining of severe back pain and was sent home and asked to return the next day for tests.

However, the pain continued, and she later returned at 4am on Boxing Day following deterioration of her condition.

An investigation report by North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust found there was a three-and-a-half-hour delay in administering an effective step-by-step guide for sepsis treatment.

The Hunts Post: Ms Kemp had several surgeries on her hands through May and has now had to hall all 10 fingers amputated.Ms Kemp had several surgeries on her hands through May and has now had to hall all 10 fingers amputated. (Image: Irwin Mitchell)

Ms Kemp was then transferred to Peterborough City Hospital on December 27, where she required surgery for a kidney stone and spent two weeks on a life support machine.

Due to the sepsis not being recognised sooner, a lack of effective treatment followed, meaning Ms Kemp had to be stabilised before surgery, required prolonged critical care treatment, and had to spend more than 100 days in hospital.

Drugs used to regulate her heart caused her to develop gangrene in her fingers and toes, “which has resulted in extensive amputation surgery and subsequent permanent disability."

Sadie said: “All I can remember was being in absolute agony because of the pain, and the next thing I’d woken up in intensive care.

“Even now after all these months, I’m still trying to get my head around what happened and why it did.

"From what the doctors have told me in some respects I’m lucky that I survived what I did, but I’m also upset at what happened to me and how it will affect me.

“I can’t thank the critical care staff enough, they did everything to save me and I’ll forever be indebted to them.

"However, it’s difficult not to try and be angry and emotional by what happened to me before and the issues in my care that have been highlighted."

The Hunts Post: Ms Kemp says having access to support will allow her to be there for her two children, Kenzie, 17, and Hendrix, two.Ms Kemp says having access to support will allow her to be there for her two children, Kenzie, 17, and Hendrix, two. (Image: Irwin Mitchell)

Ms Kemp continued that the last few months have been a "rollercoaster of emotions" and that it's "vital that lessons are learned."

“Sepsis is an absolutely horrendous condition and more has to be done to raise awareness of how dangerous it is," added Ms Kemp.

"I just hope that by speaking out I can help others."

Medical negligence lawyers Irwin Mitchell have joined with Ms Kemp to help her access the specialist lifetime care, support and therapies she requires.

The legal team will also help to raise awareness of the dangers of sepsis, which sees the body attack itself in response to an infection.

Amie Minns, the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Ms Kemp, said: “Understandably, Sadie has had a number of concerns about what happened to her with the hospital trust’s investigation report finding extremely worrying issues in her care.

“We continue to investigate on Sadie’s behalf to provide her with all the answers she deserves.

"We call on the Hospital Trust to work with us to resolve these concerns as quickly as possible, allowing Sadie to focus on accessing the specialist support and therapies she’s likely to require for the rest of her life.”

Amputating Ms Kemps' legs at the ankle was the first stage of osseointegration surgery in an attempt to save as much of her legs as possible.

The relatively new surgery isn’t available on the NHS, so Sadie had to pay for the procedure privately, with the first stage of the private surgery costing £18,000.

A spokesperson for North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Peterborough City Hospital and Hinchingbrooke Hospital, said:

“There is an ongoing investigation into the care of Sadie Kemp and we are aware of the concerns raised.

“At this stage it would be inappropriate for us to comment further whilst litigation is taking place.

“We wish Miss Kemp well as she continues her recovery.”