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Carwyn Jones apology for death of schoolboy Robbie Powell | Carwyn Jones apology for death of schoolboy Robbie Powell |
(40 minutes later) | |
First Minister Carwyn Jones has publicly apologised to the family of a boy who died in a Swansea hospital from a treatable condition 22 years ago. | |
He said the family of Robbie Powell, 10, was let down repeatedly by the system. | |
The family called the report disappointing but welcomed Mr Jones' response after an investigation. | |
Mr Jones added he would write to Dyfed-Powys Police to raise questions about its handling of the case. | Mr Jones added he would write to Dyfed-Powys Police to raise questions about its handling of the case. |
Robbie died of Addison's disease in 1990. A test that could have diagnosed the rare treatable condition was not carried out. | Robbie died of Addison's disease in 1990. A test that could have diagnosed the rare treatable condition was not carried out. |
An inquest in 2004 into his death at Morriston Hospital, Swansea, returned a verdict of death by natural causes aggravated by neglect. | An inquest in 2004 into his death at Morriston Hospital, Swansea, returned a verdict of death by natural causes aggravated by neglect. |
His father William Powell, of Ystradgynlais in the Swansea valley, has campaigned for a public inquiry, alleging that there had been a cover-up. | |
The first minister commissioned an investigation to look at the lessons the NHS could learn from the case. | The first minister commissioned an investigation to look at the lessons the NHS could learn from the case. |
The first minister said despite numerous investigations, including by the police, Robbie's family had been let down repeatedly by the system. | The first minister said despite numerous investigations, including by the police, Robbie's family had been let down repeatedly by the system. |
Anger | Anger |
The report, written by barrister Nicholas David Jones, "justifies their anger", he told AMs during a statement in the Senedd chamber. | The report, written by barrister Nicholas David Jones, "justifies their anger", he told AMs during a statement in the Senedd chamber. |
He said: "Although Robbie's death occurred in 1990, long before the National Assembly for Wales was established, on behalf of the Welsh government I apologise to Mr and Mrs Powell for the failings in the system which led to Robbie's death and for the inadequate explanations that were subsequently offered to the family." | He said: "Although Robbie's death occurred in 1990, long before the National Assembly for Wales was established, on behalf of the Welsh government I apologise to Mr and Mrs Powell for the failings in the system which led to Robbie's death and for the inadequate explanations that were subsequently offered to the family." |
The devolution settlement meant the Welsh government was not able to inquire into matters relating to the police and Crown Prosecution Service, the first minister said. | The devolution settlement meant the Welsh government was not able to inquire into matters relating to the police and Crown Prosecution Service, the first minister said. |
But he added: "On the face of it seems that the police in Dyfed-Powys in 1996 gave an assurance to people they were themselves investigating that those people would not be prosecuted. | But he added: "On the face of it seems that the police in Dyfed-Powys in 1996 gave an assurance to people they were themselves investigating that those people would not be prosecuted. |
"That is an exceptionally serious matter and one I am very concerned about. | "That is an exceptionally serious matter and one I am very concerned about. |
"I will be writing to Dyfed-Powys Police asking why it is that it appears that people were given immunity from prosecution effectively." | "I will be writing to Dyfed-Powys Police asking why it is that it appears that people were given immunity from prosecution effectively." |
The report makes 12 recommendations, relating to communication to ensure continuity of care, management of medical records and communication with patients and their families. | |
Speaking after meeting the first minister, Mr Powell said: "The report is very disappointing. It really is the tip of the ice berg. | Speaking after meeting the first minister, Mr Powell said: "The report is very disappointing. It really is the tip of the ice berg. |
"The meeting I had with the first minister was very positive. | "The meeting I had with the first minister was very positive. |
"It just seems that he has taken on board now some of the serious aspects that I have tried to identify over the last 22 years. | |
"This is not the end by a long shot." | "This is not the end by a long shot." |