Inquest Date Scheduled for Toddler’s Death

A date has been established for the inquest into the death of a one-year-old who passed away at a Kent hospital. Archie Squire succumbed to heart failure after numerous visits to the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital in Margate, according to a report. A serious incident investigations report, compiled by the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT) and reviewed by the BBC, determined there were “missed opportunities to diagnose him appropriately”. During a pre-inquest review held on Thursday at Oakwood House in Maidstone, coroner Sarah Clark set the date for a six-day inquest, which is slated to take place starting 19 May 2025. Archie’s parents believe there was a “lack of compassion” from hospital staff following their son’s death. In a statement, EKHUFT commented: “We offer our heartfelt condolences to Archie’s family and we will work with the coroner to give the family answers.” Additional concerns noted in the report encompassed: Furthermore, a third pre-inquest review has also been scheduled for 14 April 2025.