Family of baby who died of rare heart condition say there were 'missed opportunities' to save him
Archie Squire died from heart failure in November 2023 after successive cardiac arrests, just days after his first birthday
Last updated 20th May 2025
The family of a one-year-old who died of a rare heart condition have claimed there were "missed opportunities" during his treatment, an inquest has heard.
Archie Squire died from heart failure in the early hours of 23rd November, 2023 after successive cardiac arrests just days after his first birthday.
His parents made repeated visits to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, Kent, with concerns about Archie's breathing and constipation which did not lead to long-term diagnoses.
On Monday at Kent and Medway Coroner's Court in Maidstone, the inquest into Archie's death heard details of his treatment from his family.
His mother, Lauren Parrish, from Dover, recalled her son being labelled a "mystery child" because doctors were not sure what was wrong with him.
"It felt like every time we sought medical help for his breathing he was diagnosed with some form of chest infection," Ms Parrish said in a statement read by a coroner's officer.
Her statement covered 10 visits to accident and emergency, along with trips to GPs and paediatricians during Archie's 368 days of life.
They were repeatedly assured that his breathing was "normal" and given courses of antibiotics to treat viral infections, the inquest heard.
A serious incident investigation report conducted by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT) found there were "missed opportunities to diagnose him (Archie) appropriately", Leigh Day, representing Archie's family, has confirmed.
In a joint family statement, read by area coroner Sarah Clarke, they warned that "lessons are not being learned" from Archie's death.
They said: "We wholly believe that there have been missed opportunities that may have prevented his death.
"We feel it is our duty to raise this in the form of a complaint so that no other family must experience this.
"We feel lessons are not being learned and that fundamental failings remain that will continue to put children and babies at risk."
They added: "We believe that lessons are not being learned, parents are being ignored and opportunities are still being missed."
Archie's godmother Nikki Escudier read a pen portrait of Archie to the court.
She said: "Archie Squire was a shining light. A little boy whose laughter, love, and joy touched everyone lucky enough to know him.
"Born on November 20 2022, Archie brought happiness into the world from the very beginning.
"In just 368 precious days, he filled every moment with warmth, laughter, and the kind of love that stays with you forever.
"His smile lit up the room and his presence left a lasting mark on every heart he touched."
Archie enjoyed trips to the zoo and loved watching football and Fireman Sam.
The inquest continues.