Robbie’s Law: Lack of candour – The impact on patients and their families

Abstract

The following article is an edited version of the speech that William Powell, father of Robbie Powell, gave to the AvMA Annual Conference on 24 July 2010. It summarises, from the author’s point of view the events surrounding the death of Robbie Powell, the subsequent struggle to discover the truth and the campaign for Robbie’s Law and his view on how duty of candour legislation would benefit not only bereaved relatives and damaged patients but also healthcare providers. It includes references to allegations which were made during the proceedings and were and remain disputed.