A Shropshire schoolgirl who died after being misdiagnosed with swine flu may have survived if doctors had picked up earlier she was actually suffering from a rare infection, a coroner ruled today.

Recording a narrative verdict, Mr John Ellery said it was “reasonable” for doctors to assume Charlotte Hartey, 16, had contracted swine flu.

Tests later revealed she was actually suffering from complications caused by tonsilitis.

The teenager, of Bronygarth, near Oswestry, died at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on July 31 last year.

Mr Ellery, recording the verdict at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court today, said that Charlotte was diagnosed with swine flu by telephone on July 22 an, this diagnosis was confirmed following a home visit by another doctor on July 24.

“The evidence indicated that such diagnoses were reasonable ones to have made at the time, but later investigation indicated they were probably incorrect.

“If a different diagnoses had been made and treated accordingly, it is possible Charlotte may have survived.

“Further, whilst there were significant issues and concerns at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital as to the processing of information, treatment, and ward allocation, the evidence indicated that Charlotte was at the time of admission unlikely to have survived.”

The inquest earlier heard an external review identified several shortcomings in the care given to Charlotte.

Shropshire health bosses asked independent experts to carry out a thorough investigation into the treatment given.

Peter Foord, a risk advisor with Shropshire Primary Care Trust (PCT), told the inquest the review flagged up several issues with the teenager’s overall care.

It included claims that Charlotte was placed on the wrong ward.

Charlotte’s father Karl Hartey told the inquest doctors and nurses treating her always seemed to be “one step behind the game”.

After the inquest Dr Steve Evans, clinical director at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The organisation’s sympathies naturally lie with the Hartey family.

“This was a tragic case of a young girl who was overwhelmed by an extremely rare, very virulent bacteria.”

By Emma Kasprzak and Iain St John