SUDDEN LOSS
Girl, 11, died just hours after doctors sent her home from hospital with ‘constipation’
Her heartbroken parents are desperate for answers following the sudden tragedy
A SCHOOLGIRL died just hours after doctors sent her home from hospital with constipation.
Annabel Greenhalgh was taken to A&E by her parents after she complained of abdominal pain.
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Medics said the 11-year-old had constipation and discharged her on the evening of October 13, 2022.
The next morning, her dad Craig found her unresponsive at their home in Warwick and dialled 999.
Despite attempts to resuscitate her, Annabel was pronounced dead at the scene.
Between 2017 and 2021, she had experienced multiple episodes of severe abdominal pain and had required hospital treatment on several occasions.
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An inquest into the popular schoolgirl's death will start on June 14 at Coventry Coroners' Court.
Ahead of the hearing, her heartbroken parents Craig and Josie have spoken of the "gaping hole" Annabel's death has left in their lives.
Josie, 45, said: "Annabel was an incredible child and loved by all who met her.
"She was gentle, phenomenally bright, creative, fun and always inclusive of everyone.
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"She absolutely loved her music, her fashion, her art, her friends, and her beloved cat Reuben.
"She was our greatest gift and brought so much love, joy and happiness to our lives.
My brave girl, 5, complained of tummy aches – doctors thought it was constipation before scan revealed devastating truth
"Since losing her, much of our days have been filled with distress, emptiness and sorrow."
Annabel had just started Alcester Grammar School before her tragic death and was described as "well-loved" by teachers and pupils.
Her parents hope the inquest will answer crucial questions about her treatment before she died.
Since losing Annabel, there's been a gaping hole in our lives
Craig
Craig said: "When we were told we could take Annabel home from hospital, we trusted that there was nothing serious going on.
"To wake up the next morning and find her unresponsive was absolutely devastating and something we still struggle to comprehend.
"Every day since then, we've wondered if more could have been done to save our little girl.
"She was our only child and we still have so many unanswered questions around what happened to her.
"We know that hearing everything again at the inquest will be incredibly difficult, but it's something we need to do to honour our daughter and get the answers we've been seeking for more than 18 months.
"Since losing Annabel, there's been a gaping hole in our lives and we wouldn't wish what we've suffered on anyone.
"She had just started secondary school and had her whole life ahead of her. Words cannot truly express how much we miss her."
'UNANSWERED QUESTIONS'
Craig and Josie have instructed medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the tragedy.
The family's solicitor Emma Rush said: "Josie and Craig understandably remain devastated at losing their little girl so suddenly and tragically.
"They also continue to have a number of questions over what happened to her.
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"While nothing can bring Annabel back, the inquest is a major milestone in being able to provide her family with the answers they deserve.
"If, during the course of the inquest any issues in the care provided to Annabel are identified, it's vital that lessons are learned to improve patient safety."
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When to take your child to A&E
You know your child best. And if something seems urgently wrong with them, you should trust your gut and take them to A&E.
But as a general rule, the NHS advises seeking urgent medical care - whether that's calling 999 or taking your child to A&E - if they experience the following:
- Seizures (shaking or jerking because of a fit or they fall unconscious)
- Choking (on liquids or solids)
- Difficulty breathing (making grunting noises or sucking their stomach in under their rib cage)
- Unable to stay awake (cannot keep their eyes open for more than a few seconds)
- Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, tongue or lips (on brown or black skin this might appear as grey or blue palms or soles of the feet)
- Limp and floppy (their head falls to the side, backwards or forwards)
- Heavy bleeding (spraying, pouring or enough to make a puddle)
- Severe injuries (after a serious accident or assault)
- Signs of a stroke (face dropping to one side, cannot hold both arms up, difficulty speaking)
- Sudden rapid swelling (of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue)
- Sudden confusion (agitation, odd behaviour or non-stop crying)
Source: NHS