AN inquest into the death of a woman suffering from Down’s syndrome has been adjourned to investigate why paramedics didn’t take her to hospital when they were first called out.

Questions were raised by the family of Wendy Castle asking why she had not been admitted to hospital when her carers had first called 999.

It was not until two hours later, when the 48-year-old was found unresponsive in her room, that a second ambulance was called and she was taken to Southampton General Hospital.

However, medical evidence heard at Southampton Coroner’s Court suggested that admission two hours earlier would have been unlikely to have changed the outcome as the “serious” damage to her lungs caused by pneumonia had already been done.

Coroner Keith Wiseman said: “It is prudent I get a response from the ambulance service.

“It is important as it seems as though there is the possibility that there should have been an earlier admission but it seems as Dr Elliot said that probably matters had taken hold by that time and that there was no way back.”

The inquest heard that during the 24 hours leading up to her death on February 23, Miss Castle, who lived in supported accommodation in Eastleigh, had been suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea.

When her condition got worse her carers called for an ambulance but she was not admitted until they were called out a second time after Miss Castle has collapsed. She died later in hospital.

A post-mortem conducted by pathologist Victoria Elliot found that her “sudden and unexpected death” was caused by viral pneumonia.

Her sister Anne Field asked the coroner why paramedics had not taken her sister to hospital the first time and if they had, would her sister still be alive today.

Nobody from South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) was present at the inquest so Keith Wiseman said it was important to adjourn the inquest to get answers from the ambulance service.

However, Dr Elliot told the family that although she could not say for certain, she believed that due to the extent of the damage already caused to Miss Castle’s lungs, it was highly likely that the outcome would have been the same. A spokesman from SCAS said: “It is always sad when somebody dies and we would like to express our condolences to the family of the deceased.

“We will co-operate fully with the coroner but it would be inappropriate to comment until after the inquest is concluded.”