Coroner's Court of Western Australia

Inquest into the Death of Charles William MAPP

Inquest into the Death of Charles William MAPP

Delivered on :8 October 2015

Delivered at : Perth

Finding of : Coroner Linton

Recommendations :N/A

Orders/Rules : N/A

Suppression Order : N/A

Summary : The deceased was 82 years of age and an involuntary patient being cared for at Graylands Hospital at the time of his death.  The deceased had been an involuntary patient at Graylands Hospital for the past nine years.  Due to the deceased’s declining health the Public Advocate was appointed by the State Administrative Tribunal as the deceased’s guardian with the function to make decisions on his behalf about his medical treatment and the services he should access.

In November 2013 the deceased was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.  Due to his mental state and medical co-morbidities a decision was made to treat his cancer conservatively.

In December 2013 a Mental Health Review Board hearing was conducted and it was determined that the deceased should remain an involuntary patient.  On 29 May 2014 the deceased was placed on a “not for resuscitation order” which was completed by the Public Advocate as his guardian.  On 11 June 2014 the deceased had a brief period of delirium but then appeared to recover.  The following morning, ward staff noted he appeared confused, unwell and breathless.  The deceased appeared to choke on an ice cream and after a code blue was called he was transferred to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital where the decision was made to treat him palliatively consistent with the “not for resuscitation” order.  The deceased died on 16 June 2014.

The Coroner was satisfied that the quality of supervision, treatment and care provided to the deceased was appropriate by the Office of Public Advocate and the Graylands Hospital.

 Catch Words : Involuntary Patient : Not for Resuscitation Order : Natural Causes

 


Last updated: 16-Feb-2024

[ back to top ]