NHS 111 told her to take paracetamol; hours later she was in a coma

She dialled 111 as her symptoms worsened. But the NHS 111 operator allegedly told her to take paracetamol. Hours later, the woman was rushed to hospital, where she was put on life support.

NHS 111 told her to take paracetamol; hours later she was in a coma. A bad cold that worsened Nicky Hillier, 50, an HR professional from Swindon, Wiltshire, first felt unwell in early March 2026. She thought it was nothing but a bad cold, so she cancelled her overnight plans. The next day, she called in sick at work. But five days later, she could barely get out of bed. Soaking night sweats forced her to change her pyjamas every two hours. Her head was pounding. She was vomiting. She thought it was Covid. Unable to secure a GP appointment, she turned to NHS 111 on 18 March. ‘Take paracetamol’, they said Nicky was allegedly told by the 111 operator to take paracetamol to relieve her symptoms. Just a matter of hours later, she was found unconscious and ‘barely breathing’ by her neighbour and ex-husband. Nicky’s sister, Amanda Hall, describe...