Five-year-old Amber Milnes, from St Just in Roseland in Cornwall, was known as a bright and joyful child whose presence could lift any room she entered. Her parents, Sereta and Lewis Milnes, called her their “magical little princess.” She loved music, dancing, dolls, and imaginative play. Friends and family often described her as gentle, caring, and wise beyond her years.

Amber also lived with complex medical conditions. She experienced obstructive sleep apnoea, which affected her breathing during sleep and often left her tired during the day. She also had a rare condition called Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome (CVS), which caused sudden and intense episodes of vomiting from a young age. These episodes sometimes lasted for hours and often left her dehydrated and unwell. Her parents became very knowledgeable about her condition and consistently worked to ensure she received appropriate care.

Doctors at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust recommended removing her tonsils and adenoids to help improve her sleep apnoea. This type of operation is normally routine and low-risk, and her parents hoped it would help her rest and breathe more comfortably at night. On 5 April 2023, Amber was admitted for the procedure in Truro. Because of her complex health history, her parents expected she would stay overnight for monitoring. They communicated these concerns to staff, especially the risks associated with dehydration due to her CVS. Despite this, Amber was discharged that same evening around 9 p.m. Although concerned, her parents followed the advice given to them.

The next morning, 6 April, Amber began experiencing significant vomiting. Her parents contacted the hospital for guidance and were initially advised to monitor her at home. As the day went on, her symptoms continued, and by evening her parents became very worried about dehydration and her ability to take medication. They returned to the hospital at 10 p.m., where Amber was readmitted and provided with intravenous fluids and anti-nausea medication. Doctors also noted that she had developed a chest infection, which made her recovery more difficult.

On 8 April, Amber’s IV line stopped working properly. For around 14 hours, she was unable to receive fluids, antibiotics, pain relief, or anti-nausea medication. Because she could not take medicine by mouth due to her CVS, this interruption left her especially vulnerable. In the early hours of 9 April 2023, Amber experienced a sudden and severe medical complication related to her recovery. Despite immediate efforts to support her, she passed away at 4:37 a.m. Her passing deeply affected her family and the community, as outcomes like this are extremely rare after this type of surgery.

A full inquest into Amber’s passing took place in November 2025, overseen by Senior Coroner Andrew Cox. The coroner concluded that Amber passed away due to a very rare post-operative complication. A post-surgery infection had developed at the surgical site, and this infection led to a sudden and critical medical event. Consultant pathologist Dr. Andrew Bamber confirmed that the surgery itself had been carried out correctly and that the complication developed later during recovery.

Amber’s surgeon, Kel Anyanwu, stated that the operation had been routine and uneventful, lasting about 38 minutes, and that he had never encountered a loss of life following this procedure in his 25-year career. ENT consultant Simon Carr, who reviewed the case, explained that no single action would have guaranteed a different outcome. However, he noted that more extensive pre-operative discussions involving specialists familiar with Amber’s CVS might have influenced decisions about her discharge and post-operative monitoring. The coroner agreed with this observation.

Throughout the inquest, Amber’s parents spoke about her joyful personality, her love for singing and dancing, and her kind nature. They also expressed their sadness about her early discharge and the delays in care during her recovery. They believe that closer observation and earlier readmission could possibly have changed what happened. They now encourage other parents to trust their instincts, ask questions, and make sure medical teams clearly understand their child’s full medical background, even for routine procedures.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust issued a formal message of condolence to the Milnes family and confirmed that a detailed review had taken place. The hospital has since introduced new guidance for caring for children undergoing adenotonsillectomy, especially those with additional medical needs such as CVS, to help prevent similar situations in the future.

Amber’s story is a reminder that even standard medical procedures can involve risks for children with rare or complex health conditions. It highlights the importance of careful preparation before surgery, clear communication between families and healthcare teams, attentive monitoring after procedures, and strong parental advocacy. Her case has led to meaningful changes in local medical practice and continues to guide improvements in care.