Finding into death of Michael Metcalfe

FORM 39 Rule 61(1)

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST

Section 68 of the Coroners Act 2008 Court reference: 5558/08 In the Coroners Court of Victoria at Melbourne 1, PETER WHITE, Coroner having investigated the death of: Details of deceased: Surname: METCALFE

First name: MICHAEL . .

Address: Port Phillip Prison, Palmers Road, Laverton 3028

after holding an inquesl: find that the identity of the deceased was MICHA] DOUGLAS METCALFE and death occurred on 12th December, 2008

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Augustine Security Ward Third Floor Nicholson St, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065

from la. HEPATORENAL SYNDROME (FROM END STAGE LIVER DISEASE) 1b. MULTIFOCAL HEPATOLECCULAR CARCINOMA

le. CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER, HEPATITIS C

2. PAST HISTORY - [VDU - ALCOHOL

AND after having held an Inquest in relation to the death on 4th Apri] 2011 given the deceased was immediatcly before the person died, a person placed in custody or care; making findings reparding the following circumstances:

1. Mr Michacl Metcalfe was 56 years of age at the time he passed away.

. Michael was initially received into the corrections systern on 17 May 2007.

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3. Michael was categorised as a mainstream prisoner.

4, Michael's initial placement was-at the Melbourne Assessment Prison, 17 May 2007 until 3

September 2007. He was then transferred to Port Phillip Prison where he remained until 11 September 2007 at which time he was transferred to Barwon Prison.

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5. He remained at Barwon until 27 September 2007, when he was transferred back to Port Phillip on medical grounds, He remained at Port Phillip until 6 May 2008 when he was returned

to Barwon.

6, Michael was admitted to the St Augustine’s Security Ward in litzroy on 3 November 2008.

He remained there unti! 12 November 2008 when he was transferred to St Johns inpatient facility

at Port Phillip Prison.

7, He remained at St Johns until 25 November 2008 when he was readmitted to St Augustines.

8. On the 2nd December 2008 while still at St Augustines, Michael was referred to the Palliative Care Team. Whilst in palliative care, Michael was seen in respect to stabilisation of system issucs present with hepatic failure. The main issues related lo progressive cachexia, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. It was apparent in accordance with the treating medical teams assessment ‘that Michael was likely to be entering the terminal phase of his liver failure, secondary to

progressive malignant process from his hepatoma against a background of impaired liver

function from Cirrhosis and Hepatitis C. Follow up consultations confirmed that his liver failure was progressing and that Michael would no longer recover from active management.

Discussions with Michael, his carers and family were initiated to focus on terminal care and end

of life concerns and issues,

9. Plans were put in place to transfer Michael to a facility closer lo his family at the Traralgon

Hospital. Michael’s condition deteriorated rapidly and he died prior to being transferred.

“AC (et

Peter White ~ Coroner cee 4th April, 2011 a es

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