An inquest has heard that a 66-year-old woman died after collapsing in a GP surgery waiting room following several days of trying to get an appointment while feeling unwell. The case matters because it raises concerns about access to primary care and whether there were missed opportunities in the advice or treatment she received before her death. Her family say they have unanswered questions, while the coroner has opened a fuller investigation into the circumstances.

Jaqueline Watkins, a mother of two from Llanyravon near Cwmbran in South Wales, had contacted her surgery earlier in the week because she was unwell and was given the earliest available appointment later that week. She collapsed when she arrived for her 3pm appointment on 18 June and, despite efforts by staff to save her, was pronounced dead at the scene. Gwent Coroners' Court was told that no medical cause of death has yet been established, a post-mortem has been carried out, and a full inquest is due to take place in March next year.