A SEVEN-year-old boy died after being repeatedly failed by Worcestershire's health system, it has been alleged.

Five times in three days his parents tried to get help from medical professionals, without success.

Eventually the boy's symptons became so bad be was rushed to Worcestershire Royal Hospital by ambulance, but tragically it was too late and he died on the way.

Now Worcestershire MP Dr Richard Taylor has made an official complaint against the county's primary care trust, listing a timetable of errors: l The boy - suffering from breathlessness - is taken to the minor injuries unit (MIU) at Kidderminster Hospital, which is staffed only by nurses, on Wednesday, Jaunary 3, and it refers him to his GP as it only deals with "bumps and bruises".

* The boy is seen by his GP, who fails to diagnose his condition.

* With their son still suffering, his parents return to the MIU the next day, but they are sent round the corner to the reception desk of Wyre Forest Primary Care Centre - which houses the out-of-hours GP service.

* The centre says they cannot "drop in" and must instead ring for an appointment from their mobile phone.

* Three hours later - in the early hours of Friday, January 5 - an out-of-hours GP sees the boy at the centre, but fails to diagnose his condition.

The boy, from Kidderminster, died on Sunday, January 7 - four days after his parents had first tried to get help. He had not been given any diagnosis and had not been prescribed any medication.

His family are still too upset to speak of his death and have asked that he remain anonymous.

Dr Taylor, Independent Health Concern MP for Wyre Forest, declined to name the condition which killed the boy, because the family have asked for it to remain confidential, but insists he was failed by the health system.

"He died from the effects of a very rare illness, and while I would not have expected this to be diagnosed, the fact that he was ill should have been, and the description of his symptoms from his parents should have been listened to," said Dr Taylor, a retired consultant physician.

"All in all there were five occasions when someone could have diagnosed the fact that he was ill but the severity of the situation was not appreciated. I just can't believe that this can happen in this day and age - it's absolutely horrendous."

Now Dr Taylor is campaigning for a pilot trial to take place to provide a GP in the unit, which is run by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust.

He also wants to see the unit work in conjunction with the primary care centre which is run by Worcestershire PCT.

A spokesman for Worcestershire Primary Care Trust said: "The PCT is unable to discuss the circumstances of the case due to patient confidentiality. In line with NHS guidelines, all complaints the PCT receives are investigated fully and every opportunity is made to meet with family members or individuals concerned."

John Rostill, chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said he was looking at providing a GP at Kidderminster MIU and would be meeting with the PCT to discuss the MIU working with the primary care centre.