Latest news with #EKHUFT
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Baby Archie had 'incredibly rare' heart condition, expert says
A medical expert has told an inquest that a baby who died at a Kent hospital had a heart condition so rare that doctors "might see one in their working lives".Archie Squire died from heart failure in the early hours of 23 November 2023 after repeated visits to the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital in to paediatric cardiac surgeon Prof David Anderson, Archie had an "exceedingly rare" condition known as "congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries".Most GPs "would never see a case" while hospital doctors "might see one in their working lives", he told the inquest. 'One in 35,000' Prof Anderson said the "great majority of children with the condition would have additional defects of the heart", but that Archie did likelihood of a child having this type of congenital heart condition was "one in 35,000", he was reviewed in the A&E and Urgent Care Centre at QEQM Hospital more than 10 times over the year of his life with symptoms including constipation, breathlessness and failure to Emma Price, a consultant paediatrician with the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT), previously told the inquest that Archie did not have "any signs of heart disease" when she saw him in October 2023. A serious incident investigations report conducted by EKHUFT found there were "missed opportunities to diagnose him appropriately".Prof Anderson shared his view that Archie would have been referred to the Evelina London Children's Hospital had he received an echocardiogram - a scan used to look at the heart and nearby blood vessels - upon admission to hospital on 21 inquest, which started at North East Kent Coroner's Court in Maidstone on 19 May, is ongoing.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Baby showed 'no clinical signs of heart failure'
A senior doctor has told an inquest said that a baby "had no clinical signs of heart failure" a month before he died at a Kent hospital. Archie Squire died of a rare heart condition just days after his first birthday in November 2023, following repeated visits to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital in Margate. Dr Emma Price, a consultant paediatrician with the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT), told the inquest into his death that when she saw Archie in October 2023 "he didn't have any signs of heart disease" or "heart failure". "In all honesty it was a surprise" to find "Archie had a cardiac issue", she said. Archie died in the early hours of 23 November 2023 following two cardiac arrests. His parents had made repeated visits to hospital over his short life, concerned about Archie's breathing as well as constipation and vomiting. A report by EKHUFT found that during Archie's treatment opportunities to diagnose him appropriately, which could have prevented his death, were "missed". The trust said it offered its "heartfelt condolences to Archie's family". "We will work with the coroner to give the family answers," it added. The inquest, held at North East Kent Coroner's Court in Maidstone, heard Archie had been admitted to the children's ward at the QEQM on 5 October 2023 suffering from breathing issues and constipation. Dr Price told the coroner, Sarah Clarke, that staff considered it a "working likelihood" that Archie's poor health "was related to his breathing". Under cross examination by the family's barrister, Emily Raynor, Dr Price said: "The thing that was really worrying me was his effort of breathing. "Listening to his heart there was no indication of a murmur," she said. In later questioning Dr Price was asked if Archie's case had led to any changes in the way she practiced. "Of course it has changed the way I practice," Dr Price replied. "We learn from every child. It makes us go through a significant period of reflection." The inquest started on Monday and is set to last nine days. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Doctor learnt 'big lesson' after baby death 'Baby Archie's life was heartbreakingly short' East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Baby Archie showed 'no signs of heart failure'
A senior doctor has told an inquest said that a baby "had no clinical signs of heart failure" a month before he died at a Kent hospital. Archie Squire died of a rare heart condition just days after his first birthday in November 2023, following repeated visits to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital in Emma Price, a consultant paediatrician with the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT), told the inquest into his death that when she saw Archie in October 2023 "he didn't have any signs of heart disease" or "heart failure"."In all honesty it was a surprise" to find "Archie had a cardiac issue", she said. Archie died in the early hours of 23 November 2023 following two cardiac parents had made repeated visits to hospital over his short life, concerned about Archie's breathing as well as constipation and vomiting.A report by EKHUFT found that during Archie's treatment opportunities to diagnose him appropriately, which could have prevented his death, were "missed".The trust said it offered its "heartfelt condolences to Archie's family"."We will work with the coroner to give the family answers," it added. 'Period of reflection' The inquest, held at North East Kent Coroner's Court in Maidstone, heard Archie had been admitted to the children's ward at the QEQM on 5 October 2023 suffering from breathing issues and constipation. Dr Price told the coroner, Sarah Clarke, that staff considered it a "working likelihood" that Archie's poor health "was related to his breathing".Under cross examination by the family's barrister, Emily Raynor, Dr Price said: "The thing that was really worrying me was his effort of breathing."Listening to his heart there was no indication of a murmur," she said. In later questioning Dr Price was asked if Archie's case had led to any changes in the way she practiced. "Of course it has changed the way I practice," Dr Price replied."We learn from every child. It makes us go through a significant period of reflection." The inquest started on Monday and is set to last nine days.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Coroner warning over bed blocking after woman dies
A coroner has issued a warning to health bosses after the death of a 91-year-old woman who refused to go to A&E after a previous "poor" experience. A report found Dorothy Reid chose not to return to the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM), in Margate, when an ambulance was called on 31 March, 2024, after symptoms relating to her broken back worsened. Mrs Wood said Ms Reid had been left in a chair overnight when she first visited the hospital 10 days earlier, and had she returned, may not have died when she did. East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT), which runs the QEQM, has apologised for Ms Reid's "difficult experience". Ms Reid had a fall on 13 March and was treated for a head wound in a minor injuries unit before being sent home. She was then sent for an X-ray on 21 March, which revealed fractures to her spine. Ms Reid was referred to the emergency department at QEQM, where she spent the night in a chair because there were no available beds. Doctors discharged her from hospital and gave her advice on how to keep mobile. On 31 March, Ms Reid's daughter contacted the 111 service and an ambulance was called after she had complained of shortness of breath accompanied by swollen feet and lower legs. "Although the ambulance crew advised she should attend hospital, she wanted to avoid a trip to hospital due to her previously having to wait in discomfort for hours," the report stated. She was seen by a GP the following day and told to call an ambulance if her condition deteriorated. On 2 April, Ms Reid was taken to hospital but left in the waiting room again as the department was busy. She deteriorated further and was taken to the resuscitation department, where she had a heart attack. Ms Reid died shortly after 03:30 BST on 3 April. Her cause of death was recorded as a blood clot which developed during her reduced mobility because of the fall. The fall also caused spinal fractures due, in part, to underlying osteoporosis. The report stated: "Had she gone to hospital on 31 March 2024 when advised to do so, it is likely her pulmonary embolus would have been diagnosed in the emergency department and treated, and she would not have died when she did." The coroner said beds "blocked by patients fit for discharge" put pressure on emergency departments. NHS England has previously said roughly 96% of hospital beds were full, with one in seven beds taken by patients who were medically fit to be discharged. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We will tackle delayed discharges by improving links between the NHS and social care, shifting the focus of care from hospital to community." EKHUFT said: "We are sorry Dorothy had such a difficult experience in our emergency department last March, which falls way below the standard we want for our patients. "We extend our condolences to Dorothy's family." With additional reporting from PA media. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Woman stuck for 18 months on an NHS ward evicted from her hospital bed How Lancashire is reducing hospital bed blocking 'Priority' to unblock beds in Sussex hospitals East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
