Archie’s Inquest - Day 2
Coroner enters the court
I’ll endeavour to post the blow-by-blow updates as they happen.
I’ll keep adding to the posts but the time limits on editing a post will mean that the updates will be split over multiple posts.
Director of Southend Hospital details how Archie arrived at the hospital
Coroner Brookes is reading a statement to the court from Dr Claire Willis, associate medical director of the Mid and South Essex Hospitals Trust, based in Southend. In the statement, she is detailing how Archie was received into Southend Hospital by the ambulance staff.
She said that the A&E department received a pre-alert from the ambulance saying a 12-year-old boy was being brought to them in cardiac arrest. Dr Willis said Archie was given a “rapid systematic examination of his airway”, which was to identify “any potential life-threatening problems”.
Dr Willis said Archie had a temperature of 39.5C and his pupils were “large and not reacting to light”, and it was indicated Archie was in a “deeply unconscious state”.
Dr Willis says that after medical examinations it was determined he needed to be moved to a different hospital
Dr Willis continued, saying that it was determined Archie was “critically unwell” and had a “build-up of acid in the blood” which is “commonly seen” for people in cardiac arrest, which is treated by oxygenation, ventilation and fluid resuscitation.
Dr Willis said at 5.30pm, more information was obtained from Archie’s parents, and it was determined Archie would need a tertiary unit for further ongoing care, leading to his transfer to London later that day.
Doctor responds to family's concerns Archie shouldn't have gone to Southend Hospital
Dr Willis has responded to concerns from Archie’s family about him being taken to Southend Hospital first before the Royal London Hospital hours later.
She said: “As Archie was in cardiac arrest it would be expected for the ambulance service to convey him to the nearest emergency department for assessment and treatment.”
Dr Willis said it was common for those in cardiac arrest to re-enter spontaneous recirculation but it would then be followed by a return to cardiac arrest quickly. She also addressed concerns from the family about the way Archie was handled by the ambulance teams, but she said this would have had no bearing on the “devastating brain injury” that he had already received before his mother discovered him.
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