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Court case over boy's 1990 death | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The General Medical Council (GMC) faces a judicial review later over claims it failed to investigate a boy's death nearly 19 years ago. | |
Robbie Powell, 10, died of Addison's disease, a chronic but treatable condition affecting the adrenal glands. | |
Robbie's father William Powell, of Ystradgynlais, Powys, had asked the GMC to investigate. | Robbie's father William Powell, of Ystradgynlais, Powys, had asked the GMC to investigate. |
A GMC spokeswoman said: "It would be inappropriate for us to comment ahead of the judicial review." | A GMC spokeswoman said: "It would be inappropriate for us to comment ahead of the judicial review." |
Mr Powell turned to the charity Action Against Medical Accidents (AvMA) after being told the GMC would not investigate. | Mr Powell turned to the charity Action Against Medical Accidents (AvMA) after being told the GMC would not investigate. |
The charity has now brought a judicial review against the GMC, which will be considered by the High Court. I made him a promise on his deathbed I would find out what went wrong William Powell, Robbie's father | |
Mr Powell said: "I'm going to pursue this as long as I can, until the full facts of Robbie's death are out in the public domain. | Mr Powell said: "I'm going to pursue this as long as I can, until the full facts of Robbie's death are out in the public domain. |
"The doctors were telling me there was nothing wrong with him. But I made him a promise on his deathbed I would find out what went wrong." | "The doctors were telling me there was nothing wrong with him. But I made him a promise on his deathbed I would find out what went wrong." |
In 2004, a jury at the inquest into Robbie's death returned a verdict of natural causes, aggravated by neglect. | In 2004, a jury at the inquest into Robbie's death returned a verdict of natural causes, aggravated by neglect. |
The inquest heard Robbie had been seen by a series of doctors in the months before his death in hospital in Swansea in April 1990, but none diagnosed his condition. | The inquest heard Robbie had been seen by a series of doctors in the months before his death in hospital in Swansea in April 1990, but none diagnosed his condition. |
It was only discovered after a post-mortem examination was carried out. | It was only discovered after a post-mortem examination was carried out. |
Mr Powell wrote to the GMC in June 2003, asking them to investigate his son's care. | Mr Powell wrote to the GMC in June 2003, asking them to investigate his son's care. |
He was told in May 2008 that the council could not investigate the doctors, because the events took place more than five years before the allegations were brought to their attention. | He was told in May 2008 that the council could not investigate the doctors, because the events took place more than five years before the allegations were brought to their attention. |
'Incredibly courageous' | |
Peter Walsh, AvMA chief executive, questioned the GMC's judgement in the case. | Peter Walsh, AvMA chief executive, questioned the GMC's judgement in the case. |
"This case is crucial for the credibility of the GMC, and the public's confidence in it, and in the medical profession," he said. | "This case is crucial for the credibility of the GMC, and the public's confidence in it, and in the medical profession," he said. |
"It is clearly not in anyone's interests that such serious allegations go uninvestigated, and that includes the profession as well as patients." | "It is clearly not in anyone's interests that such serious allegations go uninvestigated, and that includes the profession as well as patients." |
He said Mr Powell had been "incredibly courageous and tenacious" in his fight for justice, and added: "The tragic consequences for Robbie and the implications for the family are awful, but this is something that affects all of us." | He said Mr Powell had been "incredibly courageous and tenacious" in his fight for justice, and added: "The tragic consequences for Robbie and the implications for the family are awful, but this is something that affects all of us." |
Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne added his supported to the Powell family and last year accused the GMC of "dragging its feet" over an inquiry. | Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne added his supported to the Powell family and last year accused the GMC of "dragging its feet" over an inquiry. |
Robbie's parents were awarded compensation in 1996 after making a clinical negligence claim over his treatment. | Robbie's parents were awarded compensation in 1996 after making a clinical negligence claim over his treatment. |
The former West Glamorgan Health Authority accepted civil liability. | The former West Glamorgan Health Authority accepted civil liability. |