Charlotte Hartey's father speaks after inquest verdict

A Shropshire father who fought for an investigation into his daughter's death after she was misdiagnosed with swine flu, said the "grieving process will probably now start" after an inquest highlighted shortcomings in her care.

Karl Hartey, from Bronygarth, near Oswestry, said he and his family "had to move on" after the inquest on his 16-year-old daughter Charlotte concluded yesterday.

The inquest ruled Charlotte died from natural causes but raised concerns about her care.

The teenager died at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on July 31 last year from complications caused by tonsillitis after the misdiagnosis by a GP.

Mr Hartey said the inquest verdict was "as good as he could have expected" but said he was keen to make sure recommendations for improvements were carried out.

He added: "We have to move on. The grieving process will probably now start. We can now stop fighting the medical profession. Has it been worthwhile going through this exercise? I think it has. I think we have identified some basic problems at the hospital." Coroner John Ellery told yesterday's inquest although the initial swine flu diagnosis was reasonable, later investigation indicated that it was "probably incorrect".

He added: "If different diagnoses had been made and treated accordingly it is possible that Charlotte may have survived."

The coroner said there were "significant issues and concerns" at the hospital but the evidence indicated Charlotte was at the time of admission unlikely to survive.