A 'beautiful' toddler died after contracting Strep A alongside her siblings. Ava Hodgkinson was just two when she succumbed to sepsis caused by Group A Streptococcus.
The toddler, from Banks near Southport, was hospitalised alongside her older brother and sister towards the end of 2022. Now, her parents face a wait for answers after an inquest into her death was adjourned.
Group A Streptococcus (GAS), also known as Strep A, are bacteria commonly found on the skin or in the throat. Strep A can, in rare circumstances, cause more serious conditions, known as invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infections, which is what Ava developed.
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While Ava's siblings Isaac and Emilia recovered she developed sepsis and tragically died on December 14, 2022. After her death Ava's mum Jade described her as "the most beautiful, caring, funny, kind, most beautiful soul", LancsLive reports.
An inquest into Ava's death had been due to take place today (May 20) at Preston Coroner's Court. However, due to the fact she died from a notifiable disease, the inquest must be heard by a jury and was adjourned to a date to be confirmed.
A pre-inquest review held today (May 20) heard that several NHS organisations are due to give evidence at the final hearing. These include Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Ava's GP practice and a local pharmacy.
Registered medical practitioners have a statutory duty to notify the 'proper officer' at their local council or local health protection team (HPT) of suspected cases of certain infectious illnesses known as notifiable diseases. These include the likes of mumps, whooping cough, rubella and measles as well as invasive group A Streptococcus.
In a tribute after Ava's death, mum Jade said: "Words can't describe the hell we are in. Living hell. Our Baby Angels Ava, you have been taken from our world too soon and so suddenly, you have left a trail of sheer agony and ripped our family apart.
"No one could see the events that have unfolded for us this week and we are tormented at every opportunity at something no parent should ever witness and I don't know how I am ever going to get over that.
"You are the most beautiful, caring, funny, kind, most beautiful soul and it physically and mentally hurts to the core as to why this had to happen. You completed our family. You, Isaac and Emilia, built in best friends and as parents we are so blessed, lucky, proud at all three of you and how special and magical your bond was together.
"We need you Ava. More than you'll ever know. You are meant to be with us Ava. We have dark days, months, years ahead. The sheer pain me and daddy have, it's indescribable. And the pain of all those who love you including your brother and sister is hard to manage or uplift when we are so broken inside.
"Through the darkness we will search for your light. Your feisty fun spirit. And there is a lot of things we dread...going home for one...but one thing is for sure we love you Ava. We are utterly besotted by you.
"I am struggling to find a way to go on without you but one thing for sure is in this dark tornado we are thankful for your siblings for giving us some purpose to carry on.
"You are loved Ava Grace Hodgkinson. You will forever always and to eternity be loved. I Love love love love love love love you our angel and one day I'll hold you in my arms again."
After Ava's death her mum set up Ava's Toy and Book Bank to provide toys, books and games to children in West Lancashire.
