Inquest into the Death of Child AC

Inquest into the Death of Child AC

Delivered on : 19 December 2019

Delivered at : Perth

Finding of : Coroner Linton

Recommendations : N/A

Orders/Rules : N/A

Suppression Order : Yes

The deceased’s name is suppressed from publication. The deceased should be referred to as Child AC in any external publication.

Summary : The deceased at the time of death was in the care of the Department of Communities. Since birth the deceased had suffered from multiple medical conditions. I

On 13 August 2012 a Protection Order was granted placing the deceased into the care of the Chief Executive Officer of the Department for Communities. The deceased moved in with an approved foster carer. The deceased remained with the same foster carer for the rest of her life.

In 2016 the deceased developed a serious form of nephrotic syndrome and her prognosis was poor. On 17 October 2016 the Department of Communities accepted medical advice that further intrusive medical procedures should be ceased as they were not in the best interests of the deceased. A decision was made that the deceased be certified “not to be resuscitated” in the event of a major health event and not be subject to any invasive treatment.

On 8 August 2017 after the deceased’s renal failure had progressed to the stage where the deceased required end of life care. The paediatric palliative care team took over the deceased’s care. The deceased was placed in the care of the Silver Chain Hospice Care service until the deceased died peacefully at home on 10 August 2017.

The Coroner was satisfied the Department of Communities provided a very high level of supervision, treatment and care to the deceased from the time the deceased was taken into care until the deceased’s death. In particular, the Coroner noted the deceased’s foster carer provided a loving, caring home environment for the deceased.

Catch Words : Paediatric Palliative Care : Protection and Care : Natural Causes


Last updated: 9-Jan-2020

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