Finding into death of Theand Youvanis

IN THE CORONERS COURT OF VICTORIA AT MELBOURNE

Court Reference: COR 2011 920

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST.

Form 37 Rule 60(1)

Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

Inquest into the Death of: THEAND YOUVANIS

Delivered On:

Delivered At:

Hearing Dates:

Findings of:

Police Coronial Support Unit

25" June 2012

Level 11, 222 Exhibition Street Melbourne 3000

29 May 2012

AUDREY JAMIESON, CORONER

Leading Senior Constable Amanda Maybury

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I, AUDREY JAMIESON, Coroner having investigated the death of THEAND YOUVANIS

AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 29 May 2012 at MELBOURNE

find that the identity of the deceased was THEAND YOUVANIS born on 5 January 1966

and the death occurred on 10 March 2011

at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, Parkville 3052 from:

L@) COMPLICATIONS OF END STAGE RENAL FAILURE IN THE SETTING OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY COMPLICATING CHILDHOOD MENINGOENCEPHALITIS

in the following circumstances:

1, Ms Theand Youvanis was also known as Theona Youvanis atid was 45 years of age at the time of her death. Ms Youvanis was born with spina bifida and suffered childhood meningitis which led to severe cognitive impairment. She also suffered from epilepsy and was legally blind. Ms Youvanis resided at 14 Ross Court, Sunbury, a managed group home under the auspices of Disability Accommodation Services (DAS), North and West Metropolitan Region.

She had resided at the group home since 27 April, 1986 and prior to this, she resided at Kew

Training Centre.

2, In May 2010, Ms. Youvanis was diagnosed swith renal disease. Conservative management of

the disease was chosen as the appropriate option.

3. In November 2010, Ms Youvanis was referred to the renal unit at Western Health, Footscray Hospital for further management of her renal disease. She was also referred to Melbourne

City Mission Palliative Care.

4. On 15 February 2011, Ms Youvanis was transported to the Royal Melbourne Hospital by ambulance where she was treated for acute respiratory distress. She was discharged on 18

February 2011 and returned to Ross Court with additional care services.

5. On 8 March 201 1, Ms Youvanis was observed to have laboured breathing and fluid retention

to lower limbs, hatids and face. An ambulance was contacted and Ms Youvanis was

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transported to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. She was admitted and treated for aspiration

pneumonia, fluid overload and acute pulmonary oedema,

6. On-9 March 2011, palliative care was instigated following consultation with her family.

7, On18 March 2011, Ms Youvanis was pronounced deceased.

Investigations

8. The death of Ms Youvanis was a reportable death under Section 4 of the Coroners Act 2008 as immediately before her death, Ms Youvanis was a person “placed in custedy or care” as it is

defined in the Act.!

9. Dr Matthew Lynch, Forensic Pathologist at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, performed an external examination on the body of Ms Youyanis, reviewed a post mortem CT scan and reviewed the medical deposition from the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Dr Lynch reported to the coroner that a reasonable cause of death in the circumstances could be attributed to complications of end stage renal failure in the setting of intellectual disability

complicating childhood meningoencephalitis.

10. The police investigation did not identify any suspicious circumstances and no issues were identified or raised by her family in respect of the care she had received as a person placed in

custody or care.

11. Aninquest was held in accordance with Section $2(2)(b) of the Coroners Act 2008.

Finding

I accept and adopt the medical cause of death as identified by Dr Matthew Lynch and find that Theand Youvanis, also known as Theona Youvanis, died from complications of end stage renal

failure in the setting of intellectual disability complicating childhood meningoencephalitis.

AND I further find that there is no relationship between the cause of Ms Youvanis’ death and the

fact that she was a person placed in custody or care.

' A person placed in custody or care in Section 3(1) of the Act is (d) a person under the control, care or custody of the Secretary to the Department of Human Services or the Secretary to the Department of Health.

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I direct that a copy of this finding be provided to the following:

Mts Christine Yianoulatos

Ms Kellie Degering, Domain Manager, Disability Accommodation Services, North and West

Metropolitan Region, 145 Smith Street, Fitzroy 3065

Constable Katherine Lavars, Melbourne North Police Station

Signature:

AUDREY JAMIESON

CORONER Date: 15 June 2012

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