A PROBE into the death of a three-year-old boy at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) will take place in October.

Archie Donald died on November 20, 2019, after being admitted to the Royal Hospital for Children, part of the QEUH campus, for treatment.

The inquiry will examine the circumstances of Archie’s death, with an expected focus on what role the identification and treatment of a line infection - a type of bloodstream infection - played in his death, the delay in admittance, and record sharing.

It will also consider whether the built hospital environment played a role in the contraction of the infection.

A preliminary hearing took place today at Glasgow Sheriff Court which was attended by Archie's family who sat in the public gallery.

Sheriff Joan Kerr began proceedings, stating: "I want to express my condolences to Archie Donald's family.

"You will appreciate that the inquiry has a certain scope and familiarities.

"I am sure those involved in the inquiry at all times deal with matters in a dignified way, remembering Archie's memory."

The Crown were represented at the hearing by fiscal Amanda Allan.

The Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board were represented by Steven Waclawski, while advocate Victoria Arnott appeared for Doctor Maxwell.

Miss Allan told the preliminary hearing that there will be expert witness evidence from consultants in paediatrics and microbiology.

Affidavits are also being prepared which will reduce the amount of witnesses who will appear at the inquiry.

Miss Arnott said: "Dr Maxwell doesn’t intend to lead witnesses. She knows she is likely to be called to give evidence. There is no issue with the date of the further preliminary hearing in July." 

Miss Allan stated that an "extensive" joint minute of agreed evidence has been prepared which has yet to be shared between parties invovled.

She added: "On the basis of that, and how extensive it is about agreeing the evidence, a further preliminary hearing will be helpful to discuss who the witnesses are going to be once affidavits have been considered."

Sheriff Kerr said: “In that case, I’m sure the date has been canvassed to make sure it is a suitable date.”

A further hearing will take place in July before the four-day inquiry begins in October.