A DISTRAUGHT father who is still seeking action over the death of his youngest daughter almost a year ago staged a lone protest outside a Southampton doctor's surgery.

Six-year-old Megan Watts died as a result of a ruptured appendix after spending two days in severe pain before she was rushed to hospital in June last year.

An independent review concluded seven months later that the diagnosis of Megan's condition and the healthcare given were unsatisfactory.

It also highlighted the fact that a physical examination carried out by her GP, Dr Hilary Boddington, at the St Peter's surgery, in Portsmouth Road, Woolston, was inadequate.

Megan's parents, Phillip and Bernadette Watts, of Cunningham Crescent, Sholing, Southampton, were delighted with the outcome of the review and the fact that their desperate fight for the truth had achieved some success.

But the battle for the couple, still grieving the loss of their precious daughter, is not yet over.

They are still awaiting an apology from Dr Boddington and the outcome of an inquiry by the General Medical Council to determine whether there was a case of negligence to answer.

The Wattses are also furious because they have been refused legal aid to take their case to court for bereavement benefit.

Mr Watts decided to stage a one-man protest outside the surgery, handing out dozens of leaflets to highlight his case and make the public aware of the family's plight over the past 11 months.

"The independent review did make recommendations for changes in procedures, which was a good result," said Mr Watts. "But we have not had an apology from Dr Boddington, we are still awaiting the outcome of the General Medical Council inquiry and we can't now get legal aid to take the case to court.

"It would apparently cost between £15,000 to £20,000 to take the case to court for bereavement benefit. We have been refused legal aid on the grounds that the cost of taking it to court would outweigh the amount of damages we could get.

"We just want to let people know what is going on and the sort of brick wall individuals like us come up against in cases like this.

"It is difficult enough just trying to cope with Megan's death and I feel sorry for anyone like us who may find themselves in the same situation.

"The response I got from people outside the surgery was terrific.

"A lot of people would have given up by now, but we are determined to carry on.''

A spokesman for the Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority said: "Mr and Mrs Watts made a complaint about a GP from St Peter's practice in Southampton following the tragic death of their daughter Megan last year.

"The complaint was looked at in accordance with the NHS complaints procedure and an independent inquiry took place in November 1999.

"The recommendations made by the inquiry have been accepted by the practice and have been implemented.

"The health authority would like to express its deepest sympathy to the family of Megan. The authority believes that during the course of following the complaints procedure the family's concerns have been dealt with in a helpful and sympathetic manner."

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