Finding into death of Rosemary McGarrity

IN THE CORONERS COURT OF VICTORIA AT MELBOURNE

Court Reference: 1390/2011

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST

Form 37 Rule 60()) Section 67 of ihe Coroners Act 2008

Inquest into the Death of: ROSEMARY McGARRITY

Delivered On: 4 June 2012

Delivered At: Melbourne

Hearing Dates: 4 June 2012

Findings of: CORONER K.M.W. PARKINSON

Police Coronial Support Unit Sergeant David Dimsey

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I, K.M.W. PARKINSON, Coroner having investigated the death of ROSEMARY McGARRITY

AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 4 June 2012

at Melbourne

find that the identity of the deceased was ROSEMARY McGARRITY born on 28 October 1961

and the death occurred on 18 April 2011

at Caritas Christi Hospice, 104 Studley Park Road, Kew, Victoria 3101

from:

la. ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA 1b. DEMENTIA ASSOCIATED WITH DOWN SYNDROME

in the following circumstances:

1,

Ms Rosemary McGartrity was born on 28 October 1961. She was 49 years old at the time of her death. Ms MeGarrity resided in residential care for most of her life. Ms McGarrity was a person in care as. defined. by Section3(d) of the Coroners Act 2008 (“the Act”) and accordingly her death was reportable pursuant to SectionS(c) of that Act. An inquest into her death is

mandatory pursuant to SectionS2(2)(b) of the Act,

Ms McGarrity had a medical history of Down’s Syndrome, Epilepsy and Alzheimers Dementia and had recently been hospitalised for recurrent Aspiration Pneumonia. She was unable to tolerate oral medication and only a limited dict and fluids. Her condition again deteriorated and treating doctors report that she developed a moist cough, likely a recurrence of the Aspiration Pncumonia. She was admitted to Caritas Christi Hospice on 30 March 2011

for end of life care. Ms MoGarrity died on 18 April 2011.

An inspection and report was undertaken by Dr Michael Burke, Senior Forensic Pathologist with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. Dr Bourke states that a reasonable medical cause of death was la. Aspiration Pneumonia; and 1b. Dementia associated with Down

Syndrome.

I am satisfied that Ms McGarrity’s care and management was reasonable and appropriate.

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5. I find that Ms Rosemary McGarrity died on 18 April 2011 at Caritas Christi Hospice, Kew from natural causes and that the cause of her death was Aspiration Pneumonia and Dementia

associated with Down Syndrome,

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

The family of Ms Rosemary McGarrity Investigating Member, Victoria Police

Interested parties

Signature:

K.M.W, PARKINSON CORONER 5 June 2012

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