Robbie Powell
18 years ago in Ystradgynlais a young schoolboy, Robbie Powell, died. He was suffering from Addison’s Disease, a relatively rare disease but one that is treatable. This was not diagnosed by the medics involved.
Since Robbie’s death, his parents, Will and Diane, and especially Will, have campaigned relentlessly for a full independent public inquiry. Negligence is established and that isn’t now the issue. What remains an important issue the possibility of an attempted cover up of the facts by the medical profession. This, of course, is much more concerning than negligence. It is regrettable that the GMC is taking an inordinate amount of time to look at this issue. The suspicion will understandably be that they are hampering the proper process of the calling of the full and independent inquiry.
Rhodri Morgan, First Minister, when he was an MP at Westminster, called it one of the first cases of maladministration or possible cover up that he had ever seen, and I agree with him.
That is why I have raised it yet again with the GMC, and why I raised it in the Chamber this week, and that is why I will continue to raise this matter until justice is done, not just for Robbie’s family but for the broader community and for all of us.
