Archie Battersbee's mum has written to the Health Secretary calling for a "public inquiry" and a "change of the law" following her son's death. Hollie Dance wants a meeting with Steve Barclay to discuss the implications of the case.
A judge based in the Family Division of the High Court in London ruled in July that doctors could lawfully stop providing life-support treatment for 12-year-old Archie, who suffered brain damage in an incident at home in Southend, Essex, in April. Archie died recently after his mother, and father Paul Battersbee, failed in bids to overturn Mr Justice Hayden’s ruling.
Ms Dance and Mr Battersbee, who are separated, are being supported by a campaign organisation called the Christian Legal Centre, where officials released Ms Dance’s letter to Mr Barclay on Friday. “I would like to meet with you … to discuss how we can work together to ensure that no other family has to go through this,” says Ms Dance in the letter.
