The heartbroken family of a mum who died suddenly after spending months on an NHS waiting list say she was “let down”.

Jo Sharpe, from Ashford, went to the town’s William Harvey Hospital after suffering a seizure in early February and was referred to a specialist clinic - but was later told her appointment would not be until September.

Tragically, this month the 43-year-old suffered a much bigger seizure at home and died, leaving her two autistic sons “shocked and grieving”.

Jo’s devastated sister Jacqueline Sharpe told KentOnline: “The whole reason for the seizure clinic was to find out what caused the first one.

“Because of NHS waiting lists, it was such a long wait.

“I do feel she was let down and she’s not the only one.

“The NHS system does not work as a whole.”

According to the British Medical Association, more than 6 million people in total are on the NHS waiting list for secondary care - specialist health care that focuses on specific conditions. About half of these patients are waiting more than 18 weeks, with the backlog of appointments soaring since the Covid pandemic.

An inquest into Jo’s death is due to take place and bosses at the East Kent Hospitals trust say they will work with the coroner to “give the family answers”.

The Department of Health and Social Care offered its sympathy to the family and told KentOnline: “The NHS is broken.”

Jacqueline says her sister had an MRI scan at the William Harvey in late February and was referred to a specialist.

She then received a letter saying her appointment would not be until September 19, despite not feeling any better and “being very scared”.

Jacqueline said: “She tried to get doctor’s appointments in the meantime, but unfortunately the wait to get through on the phone was ridiculous and appointments virtually non-existent.

“GP appointments are like finding a needle in a haystack.

“It is not the key workers, as they are doing their best with resources they have.”

On July 7, Jo suffered a seizure, followed by coronary pulmonary thrombosis - a blood clot on her heart.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics, she died at home - where her partner Ian and son Cody, 16, were present.

Jacqueline said: “We want to express our gratitude and thanks to the paramedics who went above and beyond to try and save Jo on the morning of her passing.

“They were incredibly professional and kind.”

Jo had also just become a grandmother, after her son Connor, 25, welcomed a baby boy called Grayson four months ago.

Jacqueline said: “Cody said he thought she was going to be there for all his milestones - his first relationship, when he has a child, when he gets married - and that's all been ripped from underneath him.”

Jo’s older brother Philip Sharpe added: “What keeps me awake at night is if those boys are going to make it.

“It's going to be difficult for them now, with all the pressure that they're under. It's heartbreaking.”

Jo had never had a seizure before the “minor” one in February, and the fateful fit in July was only her second.

Juggling finances with two children, the talented artist had cancelled her life insurance temporarily to enable her to pay other bills and put food on the table.

The family are now fundraising to ensure the boys can have a place to live and to pay for the funeral.

Jacqueline explained: “Mothers make those decisions every day.

“Unfortunately for us, you know, if she's had a tough week that week she didn’t pick the insurance up.

“Cody suggested doing the GoFundMe. It's not something that comes very naturally to us to ask people and the general public and strangers.

“Jo was a proud woman and we are usually the helpers.

“But when something shocking like this happens, you don't have money there you can just access straight away.”

Cody said: “When you're my age, you expect your mum to be here forever. You might even take her for granted at times, so it is really hard at the moment.

“It has turned our world upside down.”

Jo is described as “the person who brought everyone together”.

Her sister continued: “We now need to look out for each other.

“We didn't realise quite the role she had.

“I've had people come up to me saying what an impact she had on their lives.

“She was so approachable and had the most amazing laugh.

“Her smile would light up the room and people felt like they could come up to her.”

“She was the glue that kept everything together…”

Brother Philip recalled: “She was a safety blanket for everybody.

“I keep thinking, ‘What would Jo do?’.

“We're having complications with the house where the boys are living. Being able to keep it is looking less and less likely - but she seemed to have that ability to be able to keep everyone at ease without trying.

“She was the glue that kept everything together.”

Jo previously had her own business in Ashford town centre called Be Fanfabbydozzy.

Jacqueline said: “She could have pursued art more when she was younger, but she sacrificed her career to raise her sons.

“Her art was quite ‘out there’ and so was she. It just came naturally to her.”

KentOnline asked East Kent Hospitals about the family’s concerns over how long Jo had been waiting to be seen at the specialist clinic.

The trust declined to comment on this, but its chief medical officer, Des Holden, said: “We offer our heartfelt condolences to Ms Sharpe’s family and we will work with the coroner to give the family answers.”

A Department of Health spokesperson said: “Our deepest sympathies are with Jo’s family and friends in this tragic case.

“The NHS is broken. Millions of patients are waiting too long for treatment, often in pain and discomfort.

“The department is working with the NHS to cut waiting lists by providing an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week, to better ensure patients receive the diagnosis and treatment they need.”

Jo’s funeral will be held at Charing Crematorium on Monday, August 19, at 11.30am.

Anyone who knew her is welcome to attend and is asked to wear bright colours.

Jo is survived by her loving partner Ian, her children and her siblings.