The family of a student killed by meningitis will hear from medical experts after claiming their daughter was neglected in the hours before her death.

Graham and Christine Naylor will be among those attending the reconvened inquest into the death of their daughter Natalie, 20, a former University of Sussex student killed by the B-strain of meningococcal meningitis.

The latest hearing will be at Croydon Coroner's Court next month, a year and a half after Natalie contracted the condition while studying in her second year of an international relations course.

The inquest opened in November when Dr Roy Palmer heard how Natalie died two days after being admitted to St Helier Hospital in Surrey in January last year.

Dr Palmer has called on Professor George Griffin, an expert on infectious diseases and medicine from St George's Hospital in London, to appear at the inquest after Natalie's family raised questions about their daughter's treatment.

Giving evidence at last year's hearing, Mrs Naylor described how despite arriving at the hospital's accident and emergency department with a rash and complaining of a stiff neck, aching joints and sickness, her daughter was not seen by doctors for more than an hour.

She claimed doctors had treated her daughter "disrespectfully", claiming Natalie appeared too well to have the deadly brain bug.

Hours after being admitted to a ward, Natalie collapsed and was taken to the intensive therapy unit where she later died.

A post-mortem examination confirmed she had died of meningitis.

Dr Palmer also heard from the St Helier doctors who claimed Natalie had brain swelling by the time she arrived at the hospital, was too unwell for treatment and suffering from a condition which no-one could have diagnosed.

Professor Griffin has submitted a report to Dr Palmer which will contribute to next month's hearing.

Mrs Naylor said: "I strongly believe Natalie would have pulled through if there had been a proper diagnosis and I would hope her death causes a shake-up for everybody in the care of meningitis patients."

An Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust spokeswoman said: "We would like to offer our deepest sympathy to the family of Natalie Naylor for their loss.

"There has been an initial report by Professor George Griffin but he will be giving further evidence to the coroner next month.

"When we know the coroner's verdict, we will respect his judgement and take any recommended action as advised."