A MUM from Yate has told the Gazette she now has closure after the death of her six-week old baby last year.

Claire Grove, 22, lost her daughter Libby to meningitis on March 26 last year.

She told the Gazette that ‘no words’ could describe the tragic loss as her daughter passed away, just hours after falling ill.

Meningococcal disease, a combination of meningitis and septicaemia, can be instantly life-threatening and, in Libby’s case, struck within a few hours.

An inquest held into Libby’s death last Thursday at Avon Coroner’s Court heard about the investigation carried out to evaluate how the ambulance service responded on that fateful night.

After the inquest, the South Western Ambulance Service Trust said it had learned lessons on spotting the signs of, and treating, sepsis.

Afterwards, Claire told the Gazette: “Honestly, all I wanted to come from this is procedures put in place so that it may prevent another family losing a child. That is what is now being done.

“It looks like they’ve really recognised points to improve on and they’re working on it which is positive.

“The paramedics put their hands up and said that they should have done things differently but more training has been put in place for their ongoing training and a few more technical things to help spot sepsis, which is really good.”

Claire told the Gazette she felt a sense of closure now that the inquest had taken place.

“It’s a relief now – we can all finally move on properly without this hanging over our heads,” she said.

Although the coroner ruled that Libby died of natural causes, a spokesman for the South Western Ambulance Service Trust told the Gazette they are ‘making improvements’ to the care they provide.

“We wish to express our deepest condolences to Libby’s family,” the spokesman said.

“The Trust is committed to learn and make improvements to the care we provide and will continue to raise awareness with our staff to the signs of sepsis.”

Sepsis is the immune system’s overreaction to an infection or injury. It involves the immune system attacking the body’s own organs.

There are a number of symptoms of sepsis and a full list with more information can be found at sepsistrust.org.