Friends of Shropshire schoolgirl Charlotte Hartey, who died after her tonsillitis was diagnosed as swine flu, have launched a wristband campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of over-the-phone medical diagnosis.

The wristbands will be available to buy from various businesses and shops throughout Oswestry as part of a campaign by the 16-year-old’s family to halt phone diagnosis.

Charlotte, of Quinta, Weston Rhyn, near Oswestry, died at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on July 31. She had been diagnosed over the phone by a GP as having swine flu and was prescribed Tamiflu.

But her condition worsened and she died at the hospital. Doctors told her family she in fact had tonsillitis, not swine flu.

Since her death a Facebook petition and campaign, as well as a charitable foundation, have been launched by her family who are calling on the Government to scrap over-the-phone diagnosis.

The wristband initiative is the latest chapter in the campaign and is being put together by Charlotte’s friend Joe Jones, who read a poem he had written in Charlotte’s memory at the popular Oswestry School pupil’s funeral.

Petition

Charlotte’s father, Oswestry businessman Karl Hartey, said: “Joe has been busy and has got 1,500 people on the petition himself.

“He has come up with an amazing idea of the Charlotte Band to raise awareness and sell at £2 each. All monies will go to the foundation.”

Sixteen-year-old Joe from St Martins, said: “I have known her since she was three and she was my prom date so I felt I had to do something to help and help raise money for her foundation. We have 1,000 bands in bright pink, purple, red and white.”

He said plans were currently being made to decide where the bands should be placed on sale. The bands may also be available via the RIP Charlotte Facebook site.

The Facebook petition calling for an end to over-the-phone diagnosis now has more than 5,000 signatures.

Written petitions have been distributed around Oswestry and family members have set up 65 places in Mid Wales to sign the petition.

A Youtube video about Charlotte placed on the internet by her family has had more than 400 direct viewings.

Mr Hartey said he would deliver the petition to Gordon Brown at Downing Street after MPs’ summer recess.

By Iain St John