Parents of girl who died after surgery urge change

The parents of Amber Milnes are urging families to "shout louder" if they have concerns about their child's treatment

The family of a five-year-old girl who died after having her tonsils removed are urging parents to speak up if they have concerns about their child's care.

Amber Milnes, who had cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS), died at the Royal Cornwall Hospital on 9 April 2023 after an artery ruptured following surgery to remove her tonsils.

Lewis and Sereta Milnes said their daughter's underlying health condition was not considered when she was discharged and she died four days later from a ruptured blood vessel.

The Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust said: "We have all learned from Amber's tragic death."

The parents of Amber Milnes said she was a "caring and loving" little girl

Mrs Milnes said her daughter was "an amazing little girl" who was "very caring and loving and "liked getting her own way".

Amber's life had involved a lot of hospital visits due to the very rare health condition she was diagnosed with at the age of two.

Mr Milnes said CVS meant she went "into cycles of vomiting" that cause dehydration and could come at any time.

Her older brother has the same condition, so he said they recognised the signs in Amber.

Mr Milnes said Amber's brother had his tonsils removed to help him sleep better - the procedure gave him a better quality of life - and they hoped for the same for Amber.

Amber was discharged from the Royal Cornwall hospital following surgery to remove her tonsils

However, there was a difference - her elder brother had been kept in overnight at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, while Amber was discharged the same day.

Mr Milnes said: "The medical team was saying, this is common practice, we send children home after this operation.

"This is what we're going to do.

"But we were under the assumption, because of how it went with her brother, that she'd be kept in overnight - because of the underlying condition.

"We went home, and then she got into a really bad vomiting cycle the next morning. We ended up back in hospital later that day."

An inquest heard Amber died four days after her tonsils and adenoids had been removed.

A blood vessel had ruptured following the routine procedure.

Mrs Milnes said: "They were looking at her like a normal child, but she wasn't a normal child.

"I think that if they'd have kept her in, things [treatment] would have happened a lot sooner."

Lewis and Sereta Milnes said they wanted clinicians to follow individual patient needs

They are now urging other parents to go ahead with recommended surgery, but to be fully informed ahead of any procedure.

Most importantly, they said, parents should be heard.

Mrs Milnes said: "I just wish that we'd shouted louder and said we want to stay in, instead of assuming."

Mr Milnes added: "You've got to ask the questions, you've got to be that pushy parent.

"If you sit back and don't say anything, things happen."

'Committed to learning'

The Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust said in a statement the coroner concluded Amber "died from a known but very rare complication of an elective surgical procedure".

"We fully accept his findings and will make any further changes we can make to improve the care we give to our patients," it said.

"Our hearts go out to Amber's family; the death of a child is utterly devastating.

"We have all learned from Amber's tragic death.

"We remain committed to learning and ensuring that every child and family receives the highest standard of care."