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23 December 2010
Last updated at 06:46 ET
An independent investigation into a 10-year-old boy's death 20 years ago has been accused of not going far enough.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said it would look at the lessons the NHS could learn from the death of Robbie Powell.
But Nick Bourne, leader of the Conservatives in the Welsh assembly, says a public inquiry is needed.
Robbie, of Ystradgynlais, Swansea valley, died of Addison's disease after doctors failed to diagnose him with the rare but treatable condition.
An inquest in 2004 into his death at Morriston Hospital in April 1990 returned a verdict of death by natural causes aggravated by neglect.
His father William Powell has campaigned for a public inquiry ever since.
Mr Jones said many issues raised by the case fell outside the Welsh Assembly Government's responsibilities and the Home Office and attorney general's department said they did not wish to pursue a public inquiry.
He said instead he had decided to initiate an independent investigation and report into the case.
Mr Jones said: "The issues that fall within the assembly government's remit mainly touch upon the operation of the health service in Wales.
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"While the structures and systems in the health service have changed significantly over the years, I am of the opinion that the facts of an individual case can illustrate weaknesses, or potential weaknesses, which did exist and which are relevant to the workings of the system and arrangements now in place.
"Mr and Mrs Powell have waited a number of years for a decision in relation to their request for a public inquiry.
"I would like to thank them for their patience in relation to the length of time it has taken to review all the issues in this complex case."
Mr Powell has declined to comment to the BBC.
But Mr Bourne said he had written to Mr Jones urging him to reconsider the decision.
"The process announced by Carwyn Jones is a long way from what is needed - an open and transparent review into the circumstances surrounding Robbie's death," he said.
"An independent investigation by one person simply doesn't meet the needs and requirements of this tragic case."
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First Minister Carwyn Jones said it would look at the lessons the NHS could learn from the death of Robbie Powell.
But Nick Bourne, leader of the Conservatives in the Welsh assembly, says a public inquiry is needed.
Robbie, of Ystradgynlais, Swansea valley, died of Addison's disease after doctors failed to diagnose him with the rare but treatable condition.
An inquest in 2004 into his death at Morriston Hospital in April 1990 returned a verdict of death by natural causes aggravated by neglect.
His father William Powell has campaigned for a public inquiry ever since.
Mr Jones said many issues raised by the case fell outside the Welsh Assembly Government's responsibilities and the Home Office and attorney general's department said they did not wish to pursue a public inquiry.
He said instead he had decided to initiate an independent investigation and report into the case.
Mr Jones said: "The issues that fall within the assembly government's remit mainly touch upon the operation of the health service in Wales.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
An independent investigation by one person simply doesn't meet the needs and requirements of this tragic case”
End Quote
Nick Bourne AM
Conservative Assembly group leader
"While the structures and systems in the health service have changed significantly over the years, I am of the opinion that the facts of an individual case can illustrate weaknesses, or potential weaknesses, which did exist and which are relevant to the workings of the system and arrangements now in place.
"Mr and Mrs Powell have waited a number of years for a decision in relation to their request for a public inquiry.
"I would like to thank them for their patience in relation to the length of time it has taken to review all the issues in this complex case."
Mr Powell has declined to comment to the BBC.
But Mr Bourne said he had written to Mr Jones urging him to reconsider the decision.
"The process announced by Carwyn Jones is a long way from what is needed - an open and transparent review into the circumstances surrounding Robbie's death," he said.
"An independent investigation by one person simply doesn't meet the needs and requirements of this tragic case."
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