CORONERS ACT, 1975 AS AMENDED
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SOUTH |
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AUSTRALIA |
FINDING OF
INQUEST
An Inquest taken on behalf of our Sovereign Lady the Queen at Adelaide
in the State of South Australia, on the 15th May 2001, before Wayne
Cromwell Chivell, a Coroner for the said State, concerning the death of
Ronald Allen Hampton.
I, the said Coroner, find that Ronald Allen Hampton, aged 77 years,
late of Downey House, Glenside Hospital, 226 Fullarton Road, Eastwood, South
Australia, died at The Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide, South
Australia, on the 22nd September 2000 as a result of respiratory
failure due to severe pneumonia. I
find that the circumstances of death were as follows.
1.
Reason
for inquest
1.1.
On 7 September 2000, Dr Joanne Pieters, Psychiatrist, made an order
pursuant to Section 12(5) of the Mental Health Act 1993 for the further
detention of Ronald Hampton for a period of 21 days. Accordingly at the time of his death, Mr Hampton was
‘detained in custody pursuant to an Act or law of the State’ within the
meaning of Section 12(1)(da) of the Coroner’s Act, and an inquest was
therefore mandatory pursuant to Section 14(1a) of the said Act.
2.
Background
2.1.
Mr Hampton had been suffering from dementia since about 1989.
2.2.
In 1999, Mr Hampton was admitted to Sash Ferguson House, a nursing home
at Mt Barker.
2.3.
On 4 September 2000, Dr M L Taylor, a medical practitioner from Mt
Barker, made an order for the immediate admission and detention of Mr Hampton
in Glenside Hospital pursuant to Section 12(1) of the Mental Health Act 1993
on the following basis:
‘Increased inappropriate behaviour with aggression
to other staff and patients. Pushing
staff away. Has grabbed knife and
threatened staff. Known dementia
illness. Recent report by Eastern
Mental Health Services for Elderly People.’
(Exhibit C6)
2.4.
Dr Taylor’s order was confirmed by Dr S E Heint, Psychiatrist,
pursuant to Section 12(4) of the Mental Health Act 1993 on 5 September 2000
and on 7 September 2000, Dr Pieters made the order to which I have already
referred.
2.5.
Mr Hampton’s condition seemed to settle at Glenside Hospital, however
on 18 September 2000 it was noted that he was becoming unwell and on 19
September 2000, according to the statement of Dr Balaji Motamarri,
Psychiatrist:
‘… he appeared toxic, flushed and had a cough
with expectoration for two days. He
was transported by ambulance to the Royal Adelaide Hospital’.
(Exhibit C3a, p2)
2.6.
Dr Motamarri made an order pursuant to Section 16 of the Mental Health
Act 1993 transferring Mr Hampton to the Royal Adelaide Hospital on the
certificate of Dr Tom Heint, Psychiatrist, as he required treatment for his
chest infection.
2.7.
Mr Hampton was admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital where he was
diagnosed as suffering from pneumonia. He
continued to be treated with antibiotics and steroids, but his condition
deteriorated and on 22 September 2000 he died.
2.8.
Dr Charles Mulligan, Medical Registrar, gave the opinion that Mr
Hampton died from ‘respiratory failure caused by severe pneumonia’
(Exhibit C2a, p2).
3.
Cause of death
3.1.
I accept Dr Mulligan’s opinion, and find that the cause of Mr
Hampton’s death was respiratory failure caused by severe pneumonia.
3.2.
On the basis of Dr Mulligan’s opinion, I find that the cause of Mr
Hampton’s death was unrelated to his detention at Glenside Hospital and the
Royal Adelaide Hospital.
3.3.
The investigation has revealed no ground for concern about the quality
of the treatment given to Mr Hampton during his period in custody.
4.
Recommendations
4.1.
There are no recommendations pursuant to Section 25(2) of the Coroner's
Act.