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Chatham family raise concerns about alleged ambulance and Medway hospital delays on night one-year-old son died after seizure

16:31, 15 November 2024

updated: 16:38, 15 November 2024

A family’s concerns over alleged ambulance and hospital delays after their 21-month-old had a seizure and died will be heard at an inquest.

On June 9, Storm Sanson and her partner Jamie Stephenson had put their son Artemis ‘Arty’ Sanson to bed at their home in Chatham when two hours later he began crying and they discovered he had been sick, was shivering, and had blue lips.

Artemis Sanson, from Lordswood in Chatham. Picture: Storm Sanson
Artemis Sanson, from Lordswood in Chatham. Picture: Storm Sanson

The one-year-old was taken to hospital where he suffered a seizure and died.

The tot, alongside his twin brother Perceus, was born five-and-half weeks premature at Evelina children’s hospital in London in September 2022.

Both had different forms of congenital heart disease - a general term for a range of birth defects which affect the way the heart works.

Arty was born with a large ventricular septal defect (VSD) – a hole in the heart’s wall which blood can flow through when the heart beats, from the left side of the heart to the right.

This was corrected at Evelina Hospital when he was a baby.

On Friday, a pre-inquest review at Oakwood House in Maidstone discussed how evidence from staff at the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) and the Medway NHS Trust would be heard at a four-day inquest.

Artemis Sanson was born with a hole in his heart. Picture: Storm Sanson
Artemis Sanson was born with a hole in his heart. Picture: Storm Sanson

The ambulance service and hospital trust, as well as Guy’s and St Thomas’ NS Foundation Trust were all given important person status alongside Arty’s parents.

Coroner Catherine Wood asked representatives of the services to hear about the trust’s staffing levels on the night the young boy, from Chatham, was taken to hospital.

The inquest will also hear about why no critical care team was available after paramedics were called.

The family’s representative, Matthew Turner, also raised an issue about a procedure allegedly given for Arty’s ventricular septal defect.

He said the family believed access to the youngster’s heart was incorrectly made through his chest, when the hole in his heart was on the opposite side, so access should have been made through the back.

Speaking to KentOnline previously, the tot’s family, including his sister Rosie, paid tribute to him.

Artemis Sanson with his dad Jamie, mum Storm, twin Percy, and big sister Rosie. Picture: Storm Sanson
Artemis Sanson with his dad Jamie, mum Storm, twin Percy, and big sister Rosie. Picture: Storm Sanson

They said: “He was a resilient, bright, mischievous little boy.

“During his time on this earth he faced many challenges and overcame them all with bravery, joy and laughter.

“He was the light of his family’s life, spreading his love to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

“He loved to play with his big sister Rosie and his twin brother Percy too. I’m sure you can imagine the mischief they all got up to.

“He inspired many, but none the way he inspired his family.

“The unconditional love he showed his family every day and the joy he brought them with his antics is a gift they will never be able to repay and one which will last a lifetime.

Artemis Sanson and his twin Percy. Picture: Storm Sanson
Artemis Sanson and his twin Percy. Picture: Storm Sanson

“He was a mummy’s boy through and through, and his favourite place was a cuddle in her arms ever since the day he was born.

“His playful antics, unconditional love and strength brought so much joy and happiness to their lives. Even now when he’s not physically present, his presence is always felt in their hearts.

“Arty will always be cherished and remembered fondly by those fortunate enough to know him.

“Forever one, forever their baby.”

A full inquest will be heard on April 28.

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