CHANGES must be put in place after a five-year-old Newport girl died just hours after she was turned away from a GP surgery, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives has said.

As the Argus reported earlier this week, Ellie-May Clark had a history of severe asthma and died in January 2015 - just five hours after a GP at the Grange Clinic in Westfield Avenue refused to see her and her mother after they arrived four minutes late for an appointment.

The GP, Dr Joanne Rowe, has been issued with a warning by the General Medical Council (GMC) which will stay on her record for five years, but the investigation was held behind closed doors.

Speaking in the Senedd today, Andrew RT Davies said the GMC’s procedures in cases such as Ellie-May’s were “not fit for purpose” and called for fundamental reform.

“A young child has paid the ultimate, tragic price for the negligence of a doctor who chose to put clock-watching above her responsibility to provide care, and it remains deeply concerning that she has escaped with such lenient punishment.

“The way in which complaints such as this are handled needs urgent reform, and it’s an absolute disgrace that hearings of this kind can be held behind closed doors.

“The system is not fit for purpose. The GMC is there to look after everyone, not just its own, and I’m disappointed that the Welsh Government hasn’t come forward to condemn this practice."

The leader of the house, Jane Hutt, standing in for First Minister Carwyn Jones, said it was “a professional regulatory matter for the GMC”.

“It would be inappropriate for the Welsh Government to intervene, but I do think we have to say that, from our understanding, the GMC’s investigation of the GP’s actions underlines the need for high standards of care to be delivered at all times,” she added.

But Mr Davies said he was concerned the Welsh Government should take a more active role in urging the GMC to review its procedures, which he said were “letting Ellie and Ellie’s memory down”.

“I would look to you to try and encourage the cabinet secretary for health to write to the GMC to address its protocols and procedures,” he added.

Ms Hutt replied health secretary Vaughan Gething would be looking at the case.

Dr Rowe was suspended on full pay for six months and now works at a surgery in Cardiff, but Ellie-May’s family have said she should be struck off the GP register.

The Gwent coroner is investigating the five-year-old’s death. An inquest will be held, although a date is yet to be confirmed.