'Neglect' death inquiry call

Robbie was seen seven times by five doctors in two weeks Father's death bed promise

A Conservative Euro MEP has backed a family's call for a public inquiry into the death 14 years ago of their son from a rare but treatable disease.

An inquest jury decided that Robbie Powell, 10, from Ystradgynlais died from natural causes aggravated by neglect.

His parents have demanded a full public inquiry into their son's death.

MEP Jonathan Evans says he's backing William and Dianne Powell's campaign.

The inquest jury returned their inquest on Friday following a lengthy inquest into the death, in April 1990, of the Swansea Valley schoolboy.

Evidence was given that a succession of doctors who saw the boy in the weeks before he died had not recognised the symptoms of Addison's disease - which affects the adrenal glands.

Mr and Mrs Powell have been failed by the health service in Wales in the events leading up to the death of their son Robbie Jonathan Evans MEP

Instead it was thought Robbie's sickness and stomach pain were attributable to gastroenteritis.

On the day Robbie died, the inquest heard, Mr Powell had taken his son to hospital himself after a GP refused to call an ambulance.

After the hearing ended in Swansea, Mr Powell said he was not happy with the jury's verdict, and that he would fight on for a full public inquiry.

Mr Evans, the leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament was the Powells' MP for five years.

He says the case is the "most distressing" he has come across.

"Mr and Mrs Powell have been failed by the health service in Wales in the events leading up to the death of their son Robbie," he said.

"They have been doubly failed thereafter by the string of organisations and bodies which are supposed to be there to ensure that all these matters are properly and fully investigated."

Mr Evans said it was "outrageous that parents should have to fight a relentless battle, costing them hundreds of thousands of pounds in legal fees just to get the truth about why their son died".

He said it was First Minister Rhodri Morgan's responsibility to be satisfied that no-one else in Wales can suffer a similar experience to the Powells.

Mr Morgan has already said a "huge mass" of evidence had to be studied, but added: "I am sure that there are lessons to be learned from the evidence in this tragic case."

The General Medical Council which said it was "aware of concerns about a number of doctors relating to this case", is also deciding if any action is appropriate."

Quest

A solicitor for the doctors said they were extremely saddened by Robbie's death but felt that the jury had, to a degree, vindicated them by not saying it was not due to their personal neglect that Robbie had died.

There has been a series of inquiries into the death of Robbie Powell including three police investigations, a Welsh Office inquiry, a health authority review and an ombudsman's ruling.

But after the inquest verdict, the Powell family said its quest for a public inquiry would continue.

Mr Powell said he had promised his son on his death bed that he would try to establish the truth.

"I believe that I've partly fulfilled that promise - it's the system that's failed us and Robbie and I'll still battle on," he said.