Finding into death of Michael Handley

FORM 37 Rule 60(1)

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST _ Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008 Court reference: 4677/08

Inquest into the Death of MICIIAEL HANDLEY

Delivered On: _ 21 October 2010

Delivered At: Level 1, 436 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Hearing Dates: 21 October 2010

Findings of: JANE HENDTLASS

Place of death: Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg Victoria 3084

Representation Sergeant Tracy Weir assisting the Coroner

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FORM 37 Rule 60(1)

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST.

Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

Court reference: 4677/08 In the Coroners Court of Victoria at Melbourne I, JANE HENDTLASS, Coroner having investigated.the death of: Details of deceased:

Surmame: HANDLEY

First name: MICHAEL

Address: 5/41 Harper Street, Norihcote, Victoria 3070

AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 21 October 2010 at Melbourne

find that the identity of the deceased was MICHAEL HANDLEY and death occurred on 15th October, 2008 at Austin Hospital 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg Victoria 3084 from la. ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA

ib. CEREBRAL INFARCTION le. DIABETES MELLITUS

1. Michael Handley was 47 years old when he died. He lived in supported accommodation managed by the- Department of Human Services at 41 Harper Street in Northcote. Mr Handley’s medical history included Type I insulin dependent diabetes, severe hypoglycaemia leading to a series of left hemisphere strokes, acquired brain injury, epilepsy, atonic bowel and aspirationrelated pneumonia, He had declined PEG feeding and other surgical interventions which could have alleviated his digestive tract problems. Mr Handley’s general practitioner was Dr Susy

Matthews.

2. On 14 October 2008, Mr Handley was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at the Austin Hospital with aspiration pneumonia. He was ventilated for 24 hours without any improvemcrit in

his condition, Therefore, active intervention was withdrawn.

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3. At 4.30pm on 15 October 2008, Michael Handley died.

“4. The Coroner accepted a recommendation that the medical examination proceed by way of inspection, The forensic pathologist who inspected the body formed the opinion that a reasonable cause of death was aspiration pneumonia, cerebral infarction and diabetes mellitus,

oS, Accordingly, I find that Micael Handley died from aspiration pneumonia, cerebral infarction and diabetes mellitus. :

Signatur

Coroner 21 October 2010

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