Coroner's Court of Western Australia

Inquest into the Death of Child KT (Name Subject to Suppression Order)

Inquest into the Death of Child KT (Subject to Suppression Order)

Delivered on :30 July 20198

Delivered at : Perth

Finding of : Coroner Linton

Recommendations :N/A

Orders/Rules : N/A

Suppression Order : N/A

Summary : The deceased at the time of his death was in the care of the Department of Child Protection and Family Services.

A few weeks after the deceased’s birth he developed pneumonia and was transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment. He was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia, cerebral palsy and developmental delay. He required a high level of care and medical management. On 25 November 2011 the Department of Child Protection was granted an order for parental responsibility which remained in place until his death. The organisation “Life Without Barriers” assisted the Department to locate suitable specialist foster carers for the deceased. When the deceased was not hospitalised he lived with his foster parents in Perth. Department staff regularly assessed his care and found the deceased’s foster parents provided an exceptional level of care.

Contact within his biological family was facilitated where possible.

The deceased suffered from chronic respiratory disease and throughout 2015 he suffered a number of acute respiratory events. Specialists concluded that further invasive treatment to prolong the deceased’s life or improve his underlying condition might prolong his pain and discomfort and were likely to lead to secondary problems associated with treatment. A decision was made the deceased should not receive invasive treatment and should receive palliative care. Forms were signed authorising that he be “not for resuscitation” and for “termination of life support”, if required.

The deceased had a period of good health, but then in late October 2016 the deceased was admitted to hospital for the last time. His health deteriorated over the next month and in the early hours of 23 November 2016 the deceased died in hospital.

The Coroner found the Department provided a very high level of supervision, treatment and care to the deceased from the time he was taken into care until his death.

Catch Words : Order for parental responsibility : Life Without Barriers : Supervision, treatment and care : Natural Causes.


Last updated: 21-Aug-2019

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