WNP CALLS FOR ROBBIE’S LAW – A Duty of Candour Needed for Medical Professionals

The Welsh National Party is calling for Robbie’s Law to be passed in Wales. The Robbie’s Law campaign stems from the avoidable death of Robbie Powell in 1990 and the subsequent cover up of the medical negligence.

As the law currently stands, doctors responsible for the negligent death of a child or an adult patient do not have a legal obligation to be truthful to the parents or next of kin.

The introduction of Robbie’s law would bring in a statutory Duty of Candour for all healthcare professionals, meaning they would have the duty to tell the truth if something goes wrong.

WNP leader, Neil McEvoy MS earlier this month sat down with Robbie’s father, Will Powell for an emotional conversation that was broadcast on the internet on Monday (24th August).

The harrowing discussion with Robbie’s father, Will Powell, covers Robbie’s Law, the Powell family’s 30 year fight for justice, cover-ups and how he feels let down by former First Ministers, Rhodri Morgan and Carwyn Jones, who had abandoned support for Robbie’s Law once they got into office.

Will Powell, 67, summarised his predicament,

“I don’t know how long I’ve got left and to be quite honest –  The way things are going, I don’t think I see justice before I leave this world. That’s how I feel at the minute.

“I’ve been lied to by so many others. I’ve been failed by the police, the CPS, the NHS, the Welsh Office, the Welsh Government. Everybody that I’ve been to, I’ve exposed them for failures and not one person has been made accountable

Commenting after their chat, WNP leader Neil McEvoy MS said,

“It should be everyone’s fundamental right to honesty from the medical profession when something has gone wrong.

“I think most people like myself, assumed that it was already the case that patents and families had a right to the truth, but in reality, doctors seem to have the right to lie in these circumstances and that is not acceptable

“To me, in Robbie’s case, I’ve seen evidence that every institution either blocked, impeded, or falsified documents in order to avoid accountability. What makes it worse is that the Powell family are not alone.

This is why it’s important to change the law to ensure this kind of travesty doesn’t happen again.

“Our doctors and healthcare professionals are to be commended with the life-saving work they do day in and day out, however, people must hold their hands up and take responsibility when things go wrong.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. The fact that the Powell’s still have not had justice or closure after 30 years is barbaric. I will not rest politically until we see Robbie’s Law in place in Wales.