Latest news with #EastKentHospitalsUniversityNHSFoundationTrust
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Missed opportunities' to prevent baby's death
A baby boy "almost certainly would not have died when he did" if his rare heart condition had been diagnosed, an inquest has found. Archie Squire suffered heart failure just days after his first birthday and died in November 2023 after more than 10 visits to the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital in Margate. Sarah Clarke, area coroner for North East Kent, concluded that there was "no doubt" that an earlier diagnosis of a congenital heart defect would have "altered the outcome" of his care. Tracey Fletcher, chief executive of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKH) said it was "truly sorry that we did not identify Archie's condition earlier". Ms Clarke also echoed a report by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, which highlighted "missed opportunities" that could have prevented his death. Delivering her conclusion, Ms Clarke recorded Archie's cause of death as heart failure and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA). Ms Clarke added: "There is no doubt that earlier recognition and diagnosis of Archie's underlying heart condition would have altered the outcome. "I am not saying what that outcome would have been. He almost certainly would not have died when he did." New and more robust systems had been put in place by the trust since Archie's death, Ms Clarke added. Speaking directly to Archie's family, Ms Clarke praised them as an "absolute credit to each other". Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. 'Baby Archie's life was heartbreakingly short' Baby showed 'no clinical signs of heart failure' East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
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
ITV News
15-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Maternity services at East Kent Hospitals make 'significant improvements' following serious failures
Maternity services at East Kent Hospitals have been rated as 'good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Inspectors say services at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Margate have made significant improvements, since its last inspection in 2023. Both units, which are run by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, were rated as 'good' for being caring, effective, responsive and well-led, following an inspection in December 2024. The team found that the women and babies were protected and kept safe; that the units were clean and well-maintained; that there were enough staff who were well-trained; and that the units had a good learning culture, where people could raise concerns. However, it found that the outdated hospital buildings meant some clinical areas and labour rooms in both units are too small and lack en suite facilities, compromising the care staff are able to give, and that there is currently only one obstetric theatre at Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital. The CQC therefore rated the units as 'requires improvement' for 'safe'. The CQC's findings come three years after Dr Bill Kirkup's damning report into standards of maternity services in East Kent. The investigation looked at hundreds of cases at the QEQM and William Harvey Hospital from 2009 to 2020 and found that if women and babies had received nationally recognised standards of care then 45 babies may have survived, 12 babies may not have suffered brain injury and 23 women who died or were injured could have had a different outcome. East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive, Tracey Fletcher, said: 'The reports published by the CQC today reflect the significant hard work and dedication of staff across the maternity service. 'This is an important milestone in our continuing work to improve our services and embed the lessons outlined in the 'Reading the Signals' report into our Trust, published by Dr Kirkup in 2022. "I want to reiterate, particularly to the families affected by the failings in care described in the 'Reading the Signals' report, our commitment to continue to improve our services and work to provide the highest standard of care for our communities." Zoe Woodward, Associate Medical Director for Women's Health at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust Serena Coleman, CQC's deputy director of operations in Kent, said: 'When we inspected maternity services at both William Harvey Hospital and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, we found significant improvements and a better quality service for women, people using the service and their babies. "Our experience tells us that when a service isn't well-led it's difficult for them to provide good care in other areas. "This turnaround in ratings across both services demonstrates what can be achieved with strong and capable leaders who focus on an inclusive and positive culture. 'We saw the positive impact of improved staffing and culture at both hospitals. Women told us about feeling well-supported throughout birth, with one QEQM mother describing how a midwife stayed after her shift finished to provide continuous support during a difficult labour. 'Leaders had taken steps to improve the physical environment across both hospitals where they were able to, and safety risks posed by the estate and ward environment were being managed and mitigated more effectively. "However, concerns remain about the size of the labour rooms which were not always big enough to include essential equipment such as infant resuscitaires. 'Resuscitaires were now located directly outside each labour room to ensure quick access and avoid mothers and babies being separated for lengthy periods of time in situations where babies required resuscitation following birth. 'Leaders had similar problems at QEQM hospital. The small room size and lack of air conditioning impacted on women's comfort and as at WHH, their ability to move around freely during labour. 'However, the trust has made good progress and now need to demonstrate that they can embed, sustain and build on these improvements going forward.'
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cause of death revealed for veteran actor Tony Mathews
An inquest into the death of veteran actor Tony Mathews has concluded that the 81-year-old died because his heart could not pump enough blood around his body. Lawyers representing Mr Mathews' relatives had argued there had been a series of medical errors following an operation at Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate. The coroner for North East Kent found that there had sufficient monitoring of Mr Mathews whilst he was a patient but raised a concern about the hospital's record keeping. A spokesperson for East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust said it would "carefully review the coroner's findings to identify any further learning opportunities in addition to the changes we have already put in place". Mr Mathews appeared in numerous TV shows during his two-decade career including The Bill and Inspector Morse. The Canterbury-born actor was living in Ramsgate at the time of his death. He was a patient at the hospital's Spencer Wing for private patients who pay for medical procedures. He was admitted in December 2023 to reverse a stoma following "life-saving" surgery eight months earlier. In the days after the operation, Mr Mathews' condition deteriorated and he was resuscitated through blood transfusions. The coroner said a doctor's decision to resume Mr Mathew's blood thinning medication likely contributed to internal bleeding after the surgery. Coroner Sarah Clarke said: "Had Apixaban not been restarted we would have been having a very different conversation." "My concern is that there was no documentation of the rationale for this decision being made." Lawyers representing the Mathews family said they were still exploring a civil compensation claim against the hospital. Leigh Day solicitor Frankie Rhodes said: "It's ultimately about trying to find some accountability, to seek answers, to get justice not only for this family but actually for others and to try and prevent any mistakes happening again." Speaking after the inquest, Mr Mathew's son Kent paid tribute to his father. "My dad Tony Mathews was a loving father, a talented actor and painter." He added: "We now have some closure, which is what we hoped for. Rest in peace dad." Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
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
