King's Lynn woman left with questions after mother's death at Ladbrokes

A Lynn woman has been left questioning if her mother could still be alive today if a lone-worker security system was monitored more closely.

Sarah Giffen's mother Lynne Giffen, 69, was found dead by a customer where she was working in Ladbrokes bookmaker's in Lynn's Tower Street on Easter Sunday this year.

Mrs Giffin, from North Wootton, had died from a heart attack, but a post-mortem examination confirmed she also had Covid-19.

Ladbrokes have a lone-worker security system put in place named Link Integrated, which monitors people working alone on a shift with CCTV cameras.

Mrs Giffin's daughter Sarah said: "Mum appeared to be fine then she was seen to go into the kitchen area, where there is no cameras. She is seen to fall forward and hit the floor, and fails to get up again."

Sarah said she thinks if an appropriate camera was put in place, an ambulance could have been called out sooner and she might have received life-saving treatment.

"The whole point of getting my story out there is that someone needs to stand accountable for how long mum was left dying," Sarah added.

"Had the emergency services been called out after the first man down alarm, would she still be alive?

"Mum worked on her own so other people could take holidays, she was always thinking of others."

Sarah had said it had taken over an hour for somebody on the other end of Link Integrated to notice Mrs Giffin was having a heart attack.

There was nothing that medics could do by the time they got to Mrs Giffin.

"The man down system went off five times without anyone responding to the alarm, neglecting I think on Link Integrated's part," said Sarah.

Mrs Giffin was described as a loving, kind woman who would do anything for anyone. She had worked for Ladbrokes since 1986.

Sarah said she was left unhappy with the response from Link Integrated.

The Lynn News have contacted Ladbrokes for comment but have not had a response.

However, it has been reported that an internal investigation is being held into the circumstances of Mrs Giffin’s death.

The company said it was extremely saddened by the death of Mrs Giffin and had made a contribution to her funeral expenses.