Five-year-old Amber Milnes from Cornwall died days after undergoing routine tonsil removal surgery on April 5, 2023, at the Royal Cornwall Hospital. Amber had sleep apnoea and also suffered from cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS), a condition that causes repeated episodes of severe vomiting and dehydration. Her parents believed she should stay overnight after surgery, but she was discharged the same day.
The next morning, Amber began vomiting. Her parents were told to monitor her condition, but later that night, after she vomited around 20 times, they rushed her back to hospital. She was treated with IV fluids, pain relief, anti-sickness medication, and antibiotics after doctors found a chest infection. Despite treatment, her condition worsened.
On April 9, Amber suffered a fatal haemorrhage, likely caused by an infection at the surgical site. She died later that day. In November 2025, a coroner’s inquest concluded she died from a “known but very rare complication: catastrophic haemorrhage caused by infection after a surgical procedure (adenotonsillectomy).”
Amber’s parents described her as the “happiest little girl” who was “cuddly, affectionate, and very, very caring.” They said, “Amber was and always will be our magical little princess. She lit up our home with her singing, her dancing, her laughter and her heart of gold.” They added that she bravely endured frequent hospital visits due to CVS, saying, “Amber was so strong and when she felt sick she just got on with it.”
The coroner raised concerns that doctors may not have fully understood how Amber’s CVS could affect her recovery and questioned the decision to discharge her so soon. He also noted that key medical staff were not fully aware of her condition before surgery, despite her parents sharing that information.
The surgeon said Amber’s case was “unique,” and the hospital later expressed sympathy, stating, “Our hearts go out to Amber’s family; the death of a child is utterly devastating.” New guidelines have since been introduced to improve care for children with similar conditions.
