Overview

• The Kent and Medway Coroner’s Court determined that Archie Squire died from heart failure due to an undiagnosed congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries
• Despite at least 16 medical visits for breathing and constipation issues, no echocardiogram was performed to detect his rare heart defect
• Paediatric cardiac surgeon Professor David Anderson described the delay in obtaining an echocardiogram as unacceptable and concluded a timely diagnosis would almost certainly have prevented Archie’s death
• Dr Ravindra Kumar, the on-shift paediatric registrar, tearfully expressed regret over his handling of Archie’s case and said he has since adopted a more compassionate approach
• Coroner Sarah Clarke has demanded that East Kent Hospitals Trust provide further evidence of updated action plans and procedural changes implemented since Archie’s death