New inquest hope into cyclist's death after Stafford Hospital doctor blunder
The parents of a cyclist who died following a blunder by doctors at Stafford Hospital could be granted permission to hold a new inquest into their son's death.
John Moore-Robinson died in April 2006 after medics failed to spot his ruptured spleen following a mountain bike accident on Cannock Chase.
The 20-year-old was sent home where he bled to death less than 24 hours later.
Frank and Janet Robinson have won a major victory in their fight for justice after the Attorney General reviewed new evidence into the events surrounding the death.
Dominic Greive has granted the family Government permission to apply to the High Court for the right to hold a new inquest.
The couple now have 42 days to make the application.
Today Mr Robinson, a milkman from Coalville, Leicester, said: "It's wonderful news. It took us a year to get the first inquest into John's death and when it happened, we felt it was a sham.
"It was all over in 90 minutes and the coroner refused to let some evidence be heard. Now there is new evidence on top."
His son, a telecommunications worker, had been treated by a junior doctor in his second year of training, the Francis Inquiry heard.
A report into his death – written by senior Stafford Hospital consultant Ivan Phair – concluded that it was "avoidable" and there was a "high probability that the level of care delivered to Mr Moore-Robinson was negligent".
However, Kate Levy, the hospital's then head of legal services, told the consultant to delete the comments to avoid adverse publicity. It meant his damning report was never sent to the coroner.
A separate report by independent investigator Michael Taylor also laid bare systemic failings at the very top of the hospital.
The 100-page dossier revealed that executives "failed spectacularly" and condemns them as "callous, unprofessional, discourteous and unworthy of a public body".
Mr and Mrs Robinson want the reports by Dr Phair and Mr Taylor to be heard at a new inquest as they believe it will prove their son was killled due to neglect. Ultimately they want criminal charges brought against those responsible.
Mr Robinson, aged 61, said: "The least that John deserves is for an inquest to be heard which presents the full facts. Nobody has ever been held responsible for my son's death, that is wrong."
John Moore-Robinson was one of up to 1,200 patients believed to have died unnecessarily over three years at Stafford Hospital. A public inquiry concluded in February that it was the worst scandal in the history of the NHS.