Hospital faces cover-up claim

Bosses at Stafford Hospital have been accused of a cover-up over a report into the death of a 20-year-old man.

A witness who gave evidence to the independent inquiry has come forward to reveal Kate Levy, board secretary and head of legal services, allegedly tried to get a senior doctor to change his report ahead of an inquest into the death of John Moore-Robinson.

Mr Moore-Robinson died in April 2006 after doctors at the hospital failed to spot his ruptured spleen, telling him he had bruised ribs before sending him home with painkillers.

He died less than 24 hours later and a report by senior consultant Ivan Phair said his death was "avoidable."

The alleged actions of Kate Levy were only discovered by Mr Moore-Robinson's parents, Frank and Janet Robinson, hours before they were due to give evidence before Robert Francis QC in November, more than three years after the death of their son.

A copy of two letters Mrs Levy sent to Mr Phair was included in documents they received.

In the letters it said: "As reports are generally read out in full at the inquest and the press and family will be present, with a view to avoiding further distress to the family and adverse publicity, I would wish to avoid stressing possible failures on the part of the trust.

"I feel such a concluding statement may add to the family's distress and is not one I wish to see quoted in the press."

The report was not presented to the inquest and the discussion over the letter was kept out of the edited summary released by the inquiry.

An investigation has been launched into the actions of Mrs Levy who is not currently at work.

Frank Robinson, aged 58, from Coalville in Leicestershire, said: "It has been a blatant cover-up."

Mr Robinson, a milkman, said the fact the inquiry had left the discussion about the letter out of his summary proved the case for a full public inquiry.

He said: "We were totally stunned when we found out what had happened. The problem is we don't know what else has been left out of the evidence to the inquiry."

Antony Sumara, chief executive of Stafford Hospital said: "I am appalled that anyone would want to hide information to protect the reputation of this organisation.

"I am extremely sorry that these letters have caused still further distress to Mr and Mrs Robinson.

"We will be carrying out a full investigation both of John's care at Stafford Hospital and of the way his case was handled.

"Until we know all the facts we cannot comment further. The results of our investigations will be shared fully with Mr and Mrs Robinson."