Inquest into the Death of BC (Subject to Suppression Order)
Inquest into the Death of BC
Delivered on : 17 December 2014
Delivered at :Perth
Finding of : Deputy State Coroner Vicker
Recommendations :Yes
Orders/Rules : N/A
Suppression Order : Yes
That no report of the inquest or part of any proceedings which would identify or tend to identify the deceased be made in this matter and the deceased to be referred to as “BC”
Summary : The deceased was five months and eleven days of age at the time of his death. He was born a healthy full-term baby in Perth and after his birth he returned to the Kimberley with his mother. They were supported by the Department for Child Protection and Family Support but BC was not subject to a care and protection order. The deceased became unwell in April 2010 and was taken to Wyndham Hospital, then transferred to Kununurra Hospital before being transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital in Perth. The deceased was discharged three weeks later on antibiotics. Although he had improved the cause of his illness remained undiagnosed. He was due for follow up review on 11 June 2010 at Kununurra Hospital.
The deceased’s mother asked the Department whether she could take the deceased to her family’s community and she was granted approval for a weekend visit. She was expected to return to her home on 14 June 2010. There appeared to be no knowledge by the Department of the appointment for the deceased to be taken for review on 11 June 2010 at the Kununurra Hospital. The deceased and his mother did not return on 14 June 2010 as required.
On 17 June 2010 a disability support worker visited the community where the deceased and his mother were and observed the deceased whom he believed to be unwell. He reported the matter to a nurse at the community health clinic who was unable to access the PMH discharge information. By the 21 June 2010 the disability support worker was still concerned about the deceased. He called the Department’s after hours Crisis Care Service and reported those concerns. On 22 June 2010 staff from the Department drove to the community and found the deceased unresponsive. The deceased was taken to medical facilities including being transferred by RFDS to Royal Darwin Hospital but he did not recover and died on 29 June 2010.
The inquest was held to determine exactly what happened to the deceased and whether any measure could be implemented to minimise the likelihood of a death arising from a similar set of circumstances.
The Coroner found that the deceased died on 29 June 2010 at Royal Darwin Hospital as a result of Acute Meningitis and death arose by way of Natural Causes. His death was probably preventable had there been intervention and the appropriate sharing of essential medical information.
The Coroner made five recommendations.
Catch Words : Acute Meningitis : Natural Causes : Sharing of medical information between agencies : Family Support rather than Care and Protection Orders
Last updated: 5-Feb-2024
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