An inquest is being closed into the death of an 11-year-old girl from Warwick | News

Annabel Greenhalgh died the day after being sent home from Warwick Hospital.

An inquest has ruled that the death of an 11-year-old girl from Warwick, who was diagnosed with constipation, was of natural causes.

Annabel Greenhalgh died the day after being sent home from Warwick Hospital in October 2022 after complaining of abdominal pain.

An inquest at Coventry Coroner’s Court heard that a post-mortem examination showed she died of suspected cardiac arrest.

In a statement, Annabel’s parents Josie and Craig said: “Losing Annabel in the way we did will haunt us forever. She was our beloved girl and to be taken so suddenly and cruelly is something we will never get over.

“To this day, we still wake up and it takes a moment to remember what happened, then the horror and devastation hits us like a truck. No parent should outlive their child. It’s hard to believe that we’ll never get to celebrate milestones in life like Annabel passing her exams, getting married or having children.

“Going through it all over again at the inquest has been very difficult for both of us, but we are grateful to at least have some answers now.

“We would give anything to have Annabel back in our lives – we miss her love and enthusiasm so much – but we know it can’t happen. All we can hope for now is that no other family has to go through what we have.”

A spokesman for the University of South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust said it offered its “heartfelt condolences to Annabel’s family and friends” and apologized “for any actions and decisions that have caused further distress”.

Emma Rush, specialist medical negligence solicitor at Irwin Mitchell, who is representing the family, said: “While nothing will ever compensate for the pain and loss that Josie and Craig feel, we are delighted to have at least been able to offer them. the answers they deserve.

“Unfortunately, the inquest highlighted worrying issues in the care given to Annabel before her death. It is now vital that lessons are learned to help improve patient safety and prevent other families from going through the terrible suffering that Annabel’s family has.”

First and foremost, for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Hits Radio app.