Finding into death of Donald Edward Paterson

IN THE CORONERS COURT OF VICTORIA AT MELBOURNE

Court Reference: COR 2011 2623

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST

Form 37 Rule 60(1) Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

Inguest into the Death of: DONALD EDWARD PATERSON Hearing Dates: 10 October 2012

Police Coronial Support Unit Senior Constable King TAYLOR, Assisting the Coroner

Findings of: AUDREY JAMIESON, CORONER Delivered On: 26 October 2012 Delivered At: Coroners Court of Victoria

Level 11, 222 Exhibition Street Melbourne 3000

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1, AUDREY JAMIESON, Coroner having investigated the death of DONALD EDWARD

PATERSON :

AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 10 October 2012 at MELBOURNE .

find that the identity of the deceased was DONALD EDWARD PATERSON

born on 25 January 1949 and the death occurred on 18 July 2011 at St Augustine’s Ward, St Vincent’s Hospital, 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy 3065

from:

1 (a) COMPLICATIONS OF END STAGE LIVER DISEASE

in the following circumstances:

Mr Donald Edward Paterson was 62 yéars of age at the time of his death. He had a medical history, which included Child Pugh Class ‘C Liver citthosis secondary to Hepatitis C virus, diabetes and depression. He also had a history of heavy alcohol intake and violence towards others particularly his defacto partner and two of her three children. The onset-of heavy drinking and violence is believed to have commenced in or around 1992, subsequent to Mr Paterson returning home after a prolonged period of hospitalisation for burns sustained to 40%

of his body.

At the time of his death, Mr Paterson was serving a six year and 10 month sentence for crimes against the person including sexual offences. He was placed on the Sex Offenders List and

eligible for parole on 6 December 2011.

On 23 March 2011, Mr Paterson was transferred from Port Phillip Prison (PPP).to the PPP’s St John’s Ward due to deteriorating health. On 3 July 2011, Mr Paterson was transferred to St Augustine’s Ward at St Vincent’s Hospital due to increasing ascites, right pleural effusion and

hepatic encephalopathy.

On 5 July 2011, palliative care was instigation following consultation with Mr Paterson and

his mother, A “Not for Resuscitation Order” was put in place.

Mr Paterson’s condition continued to deteriorate. He died on 18 July 2011 at 03.15 am.

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6. Mr Paterson’s death was reportable because immediately before his death he was a person

placed in custody or care as it is defined in the Coroners Act 2008.

Investigation

7. Dr Heinrich Bouwer, Forensic Pathologist at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, performed an external examination of the body of Mr Paterson, reviewed a post mortem CT scan and.the medical records and reported to the coroner that a reasonable cause of death

could be attributed to complications of end stage liver disease.

8. The police investigation did not identify any suspicious circumstances.

An Inquest was held pursuant to section 52(2)(b) Coroners Act 2008.

9. . Senior Constable King Taylor provided a Summary of the circumstances. No issues were

identified. No witnesses were called to give evidence.

FINDING

I accept and adopt the medical cause of death as identified by Dr Heinrich Bouwer and find that Donald Edward Paterson died from natural causes being the complications of end stage liver

disease.

And I further find that there is no relationship between the cause of Mr Paterson’s death and the fact

that he was a person held in custody or care.

Pursuarit to section 73(1) of the Coroners Act 2008, I order that the Finding be published on the

internet,

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

Mts Frances Paterson Ms Katie Cunnington, Clinical Risk Manager, St Vinccnt’s Hospital

' Ms Penny Croser, Office of Correctional Services Review

Signature:

AUDREY JAMIESON CORONER Date: 26 October 2012

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