Media statement regarding our care of Archie Battersbee | Our news

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Media statement regarding our care of Archie Battersbee

Posted by Aine McCarthy

Royal London Hospital general view

Latest statement, as of 14:30, 6 August 2022

Archie Battersbee passed away on Saturday afternoon at The Royal London Hospital after treatment was withdrawn in line with court rulings about his best interests. Members of his family were present at the bedside and our thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with them at this difficult time.

The trust would like to thank the medical, nursing and support staff in the paediatric intensive care department who looked after Archie following his awful accident. They provided high quality care with extraordinary compassion over several months in often trying and distressing circumstances. This tragic case not only affected the family and his carers but touched the hearts of many across the country.

Alistair Chesser

Chief medical officer

Barts Health NHS Trust

Comments

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  1. Donna Kantaris Saturday, 6 August 2022 at 03:41 AM

    I understand that Archie's care and needs must be paramount but I am concerned that this poor family are being met with slammed doors at every turn. This is going to complicate their grieving process. What support is in place for the family? Archie will soon be at peace but they will be left picking up the pieces. This experience could leave lasting and deep psychological scars. What about their wellbeing?

  2. Mr A de Klerk Saturday, 6 August 2022 at 03:30 PM

    This news is very sad. I have the deepest sympathy for Archie's family. I cannot, and do not want to, imagine the pain they have been through. I also have the hospital team in my thoughts as they have been subjected to a lot of unfair criticism.
    I am a scientist and it saddens me that more and more people are rejecting medical and scientific advice. I do not understand what seems to underpin this, which is the basic premiss we want to harm people.
    I hope Archie's family find a way to get past this and live their best lives. Doing that would be the finest tribute to Archie.

  3. Simon Carwithen Saturday, 6 August 2022 at 04:00 PM

    Regardless of the rights or wrongs of this tragic case in which there are no winners, this is an extraordinarily dispassionate statement cloaked in the usual vernacular employed by lawyers. “Difficult time”? For goodness sake just use some emotive language that adequately reflects the absolute trauma Archie’s family are going through. I don’t think anybody doubts the exemplary care that Archie would have received in your hospital. Just ditch the “one eye on the litigation aspect” and show some genuine compassion

  4. Jo Saturday, 6 August 2022 at 04:52 PM

    Thank you for all you did to care for Archie, despite such challenging circumstances. The nurses, doctors and other staff went above and beyond to support him. Thank you all.

  5. Isobel Mcmillan Saturday, 6 August 2022 at 05:20 PM

    Please let all your staff who worked with Archie from April that each and everyone of them are bloody angels and never to forget that.Love and hugs to them all from a mum of 4 xxxx

  6. Kelly Payne Saturday, 6 August 2022 at 08:10 PM

    Thank you to all the staff who provided wonderful care to Archie under difficult circumstances. I hope they are provided with the support they may need.

  7. Liz Bateman Saturday, 6 August 2022 at 10:43 PM

    A heartfelt thank you for your fantastic care of Archie

  8. Theresa Nyikor-Awusi Saturday, 6 August 2022 at 11:18 PM

    Thanks to everyone for all your dedicated hard works and my sympathy and condolence to his entire family at this difficult moment.
    May his soul rest in perfect peace.

  9. Anon Sunday, 7 August 2022 at 03:30 AM

    An enormous thank you to all nursing staff who have undoubtedly had the toughest last few years, and undoubtedly these last few months were not at all easy either.
    If there was a way to send hobnobs, and a chance for you all to put your feet up with a cuppa, however briefly, we would send that too.
    Thank you for your dedication, expertise and commitment, one and all. It IS deeply appreciated. <3

  10. Liz Reen Sunday, 7 August 2022 at 09:08 AM

    My heart goes out to all the doctors nurses nd staff at the Royal London Hospital after the death of Archie Bstersbee it must have been so difficult and traumatic I know they gave exceptional care under very difficult circumstances my daughter was in GOSH and the staff were amazing !!! We are al thinking of them a terrible tradegy dealt with professionalism and the upmost care

  11. Melanie Sunday, 7 August 2022 at 09:23 AM

    Poor staff, they must be emotionally and physical exhausted. Nor will they have the opportunity for ‘quiet time’, in fact they are probably back on ward, dealing with all the other traumas.

  12. Anne Gallagher Sunday, 7 August 2022 at 04:10 PM

    My sincere condolences and sympathy to your staff for enduring all they have for the past few months. They deserve everyone's heartfelt thanks for what they have done in such difficult circumstances.

  13. Razvin Irani-Deol Tuesday, 9 August 2022 at 09:26 AM

    May his soul rest in eternal peace x
    well done team

  14. Yunus Dudhwala Tuesday, 9 August 2022 at 11:22 AM

    Thank you to all the staff who cared for Archie. Every single one of you are amazing. You continued to care for Archie and his family professionally and with dignity, despite the trying circumstances that surrounded his ongoing care. Hold your heads up high, and carry on strong.

  15. J L R Wednesday, 10 August 2022 at 01:10 AM

    To all of the staff who cared for Archie over the last few months. I don't know you but I understand. I know that you try very hard to save lives and that it is equally difficult for you when this is not possible in spite of all of your efforts. You work tirelessly for everyone, supporting ALL of the patients and their families in your care, through the most difficult period of their lives. You have had to endure the many critics who may not fully understand the intricacies of your profession and are swept along on a sea of emotion and media hype with little understanding of the medical and nursing profession, or even the legal processes involved. At the same time continuing to care for Archie, his family and all of the other patients and their families in your care. It must have been a very difficult time for you. I know that each and everyone of you would have preferred a different outcome if this were medically possible. Without so much as a pause to recover, you have to be back to the job of caring for the next patient and family who needs your help. God forbid, but it could be any one of us who needs your professional help so THANK YOU for being there. I pray that Archie's family will come to a place of understanding and acceptance when they work through this grief process. I pray that the nurses, medics and other staff are supported through this period and during the days ahead. Once again Thank You for your specialist and invaluable work.

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