Mum Kelly Hibberd was shocked to discover that her two-year-old son Reece has a potentially fatal heart condition after GPs at her former surgery said there was nothing seriously wrong with him.

Mrs Hibberd, 23, had been back and forth to St James’ Surgery in Devizes as she was concerned something was wrong with Reece.

She moved to Easterton a year ago and in March took Reece to Market Lavington Surgery where a GP said he had a heart murmur.

Tests at Southampton General Hospital in October showed that Reece has severe aortic stenosis which means that his aortic valve is very narrow and is restricting the blood flow.

As a result he needs open heart surgery and is due to undergo this procedure on December 29.

Mrs Hibberd, who has two other children, said: “Since Reece was born I knew there was something wrong with him. He never seemed a happy child and was constantly whinging. He gets out of breath more than other children.

“I was back and forth to St James’ Surgery with Reece, possibly about 12 times. I saw different GPs and they never really gave me a diagnosis. Sometimes he had chest infections and they prescribed anti biotics for him. I felt like I was a neurotic mother and I would be in tears at the surgery.

“I took Reece to Market Lavington Surgery in March because he had a chest infection. The doctor listened to his heart and asked if I was aware of Reece’s heart murmur. That was the first time I had been told he had a heart murmur.

“The cardiologist says it is a defect Reece has had from birth and if he hadn’t been diagnosed he would have had a heart attack.

“I was shocked to learn Reece had this serious condition and I believe it should have been picked up by St James’ Surgery.”

Reece will be in hospital for between seven to ten days when he undergoes open heart surgery.

Mrs Hibberd has not made a complaint to St James Surgery.

A statement from the surgery said: “Our practice’s legal and ethical duties prevent us from commenting on any matters that might require us to release confidential patient information. We have a practice complaints procedure and we would ask any patient who wishes us to consider a complaint to get in touch with us.”