Coroner's Court of Western Australia

Inquest into the Death of John MAJINSKI

Inquest into the Death of John MAJINSKI

Delivered on: 2 July 2015

Delivered at: Perth

Finding of: Coroner Linton

Recommendations: No

Orders/Rules: N/A

Suppression Order: N/A

Summary: The deceased was 55 years old when he died at Royal Perth Hospital on 16 June 2013. At the time of death he was a sentenced prisoner. In April 2013 following a five day hospital admission, he was transferred from Karnet Prison Farm to the Infirmary at Casuarina Prison for 24 hour nursing care including oxygen therapy. Due to his deteriorating medical condition on 9 May 2013 Mr Majinski was transferred to Royal Perth Hospital and admitted to a ward with specialist respiratory team input. On 13 May 2013 he was registered as a Phase 1 (high probability of death) on the Department’s terminally ill prisoner register. His status was escalated to Phase 2 (death imminent) on 24 May 2013.

The inquest focussed primarily on the medical care provided in prison for the deceased’s pre-existing multiple medical problems including long standing severe lung disease and diabetes.

The deceased’s medical records show that throughout his term of incarceration he became increasingly unwell. His medical notes reveal his conditions were intensively managed to a high standard by the prison medical staff in conjunction with a multitude of specialists and allied health professions. When his severe lung condition deteriorated significantly he was considered for lung transplantation, but was deemed unsuitable due to his recent diagnosis of active hepatitis B. When no other treatments could be offered he was provided with palliative care until he died.

Evidence was provided to the inquest that on 18 June 2013, Dr D Moss, a forensic pathologist conducted a post mortem examination and at the conclusion of all investigations formed the opinion that the cause of death was complications of fibrosing alveolitis. The Coroner’s conclusion was that the manner of death was by way of Natural Causes.

The Coroner was also satisfied that there was nothing that the Department did or failed to do that contributed to the deceased’s death.

Catch Words : Death in Custody : Long standing lung disease : Natural Causes

 


Last updated: 16-Feb-2024

[ back to top ]