Inquest into the Death of James Michael Chee Ming YUNG
Inquest into the Death of James Michael Chee Ming YUNG
Delivered on :6 September 2017
Delivered at : Perth
Finding of : Coroner Linton
Recommendations :N/A
Orders/Rules : N/A
Suppression Order : N/A
Summary : At the time of the deceased’s death, the deceased was subject to a community treatment order under the Mental Health Act 1996 (WA) and was under the Supervision of Consultant Psychiatrist at the Avro Clinic. The deceased’s last Community Treatment Order began on 10 March 2015 and was extended until 9 September 2015.
The inquest focused primarily on the psychiatric care provided to the deceased while on the final Community Treatment Order prior to his death, as well as the circumstances of his death and the question of his fitness to drive given his psychiatric disorder. The inquest was held in conjunction with the death of another person, Mr Mamadou Diallo, who also died in a traffic collision in 2015 while subject to a Community Treatment Order.
The deceased was first diagnosed with a mental illness in 1993, which led to a number of in-patient hospital admissions in the UK and Australia. On 19 August 2013 the deceased was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in the UK on a secure ward with a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, manic type, and was administered paliperidone depot medication and oral medication. The deceased was disruptive, grandiose and delusional and made threats to kill medical staff and himself. He was discharged on 23 December 2013 after his mental state improved sufficiently and he returned to Australia.
The deceased was first seen by his treating Consultant Psychiatrist on 7 January 2014. During the interview the deceased was highly aroused with evidence of psychotic and manic features and became threatening. He was admitted to Graylands Hospital as an involuntary patient for a period of 80 days. He was discharged on 27 March 2014 on a Community Treatment Order but was later readmitted on two more occasions until he was discharged on 10 March 2015 on his last Community Treatment Order with depot medication. A request to have the deceased continue the Community Treatment Order was granted and extended to 9 September 2015 to ensure the deceased was compliant with taking his depot medication.
The deceased became non-compliant with his oral medications and at his request his medication was changed to Abilify. He was assessed as being in the early stages of a relapse during an interview on 5 June 2015. He then absconded to Victoria. On 9 June 2015 the deceased boarded a flight from Melbourne and his behaviour attracted attention. He was removed from the plane. His psychiatrist was consulted and advice was provided to the airline that the deceased was not fit to fly until he had been psychiatrically assessed, which did not eventuate. Nevertheless, the deceased flew back to Perth on 18 June 2015. Attempts by his treating team to contact him were unsuccessful but he was seen by his parents who thought he seemed well.
On Sunday 20 June 2015 while driving his vehicle southwest along Jarradale Road the deceased failed to negotiate a bend in the road and rolled the vehicle and collided with a tree. The deceased died at the scene of the crash.
The Coroner found the deceased died on 20 June 2015 as a result of multiple injuries and the manner of death occurred by way of accident.
The Coroner found the medical treatment of the deceased while he was on the Community Treatment Order was appropriate.
Catch Words : Community Treatment Orders : Fitness to hold a driver’s licence : Accident.
Last updated: 10-Jul-2024
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