The parents of a schoolgirl who died hours after doctors diagnosed her with constipation and sent her home from the ER are demanding answers.
Annabel Greenhalgh, 11, was taken by her parents to Warwick Hospital on the night of October 13 after she complained of abdominal pain.
The doctors said she had constipation and discharged her. But the next morning, her father Craig found her unconscious at her Warwick home and dialed 999.
Despite paramedics’ attempts to resuscitate her, Annabel was pronounced dead at the scene.
Between 2017 and 2021, Annabel experienced multiple episodes of severe abdominal pain and required hospital treatment on several occasions.
An inquest into the popular schoolgirl’s death will begin at Coventry Coroner’s Court this Friday.
Annabel Greenhalgh, 11, from Warwick, died hours after she was diagnosed with constipation and sent home from hospital.
Before the hearing, her parents, Craig and Josie, spoke of the “huge void” Annabel’s death has left in their lives.
Josie, 45, said: ‘Annabel was an incredible girl and loved by everyone who knew her. She was gentle, phenomenally bright, creative, fun, and always inclusive of everyone.
‘She 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 into our lives.
“Since we lost her, much of our days have been filled with anguish, emptiness and sadness.”
Annabel had just started Alcester High School before her tragic death and was described as “much loved” by teachers and pupils.
His parents hope the investigation will answer crucial questions about the treatment he received before he died.
Annabel (pictured) had just started Alcester High School before her tragic death and was described as “much loved” by teachers and pupils.
Craig said: “When we were told we could take Annabel home from hospital we were confident there was nothing serious wrong.
‘Waking up the next morning to find her unconscious was absolutely devastating and something we still struggle to understand.
‘Every day since then we have wondered if more could have been done to save our little girl.
‘She was our only child and we still have many unanswered questions about what happened to her.
‘We know it will be incredibly difficult to hear everything again during the inquest, but it is something we must do to honor our daughter and get the answers we have been seeking for over 18 months.
“Since we lost Annabel, there has been a huge void in our lives and we wouldn’t wish what we have suffered on anyone.
‘I had just started high school and had my whole life ahead of me. “Words cannot truly express how much we miss her.”
Craig and Josie have commissioned medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the tragedy.
The family’s lawyer, Emma Rush, said: “Understandably, Josie and Craig remain devastated to lose their young daughter so suddenly and tragically.
‘They also continue to have a number of questions about what happened to him.
‘While nothing can bring Annabel back, the investigation is an important milestone in giving her family the answers they deserve.
“If during the course of the investigation any issues are identified in the care provided to Annabel, it is vital that lessons are learned to improve patient safety.”
