Deceased
Jason Michael Paul
Demographics
43y, male
Coroner
Coroner Peter White
Date of death
2014-08-07
Finding date
2016-07-06
Cause of death
Pneumonia and severe epilepsy, with renal cell cancer as a contributing factor
AI-generated summary
Jason Paul was a 43-year-old man with tuberous sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spastic quadriplegia and severe epilepsy who resided in a Department of Human Services facility. He had progressive renal failure requiring multiple hospital admissions in the year preceding his death. On 27 July 2014, he was admitted following multiple seizures and was subsequently diagnosed with pneumonia. In consultation with family, palliative care was instituted. He died on 7 August 2014 from pneumonia and severe epilepsy, with renal cell cancer as a contributing factor. The coroner was satisfied he received appropriate care at the residential facility and that his death resulted from natural causes.
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Specialties
Court Reference: COR 2014 4009
Form 38 Rule 60(2) Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008
I, PETER WHITE, Coroner having investigated the death of JASON MICHAEL PAUL
without holding an inquest: find that the identity of the deceased was JASON MICHAEL PAUL
born on 30 January 1971 and the death occurred on 7 August 2014 at the Colac Area Health, 2-28 Connor Street, Colac, Victoria
from:
1 (a) PNEUMONIA 1(b) SEVERE EPILEPSY
Pursuant to section 67(1) of the Coroners Act 2008 I make findings with respect to the following circumstances:
Jason Paul was a 43 year old man who resided in Colanda Residential Services, a Department of Human Services run facility, in Colac. He had resided in the Martin Unit of Colanda since 1977. Mr Paul had tuberous sclerosis and cerebral palsy with spastic quadriplegia, choroathetosis and kyphosoliosis. He had epilepsy and was blind and needed high level care.
In the twelve months leading up to his death, he had multiple consultations with his doctor and admissions to Colac Area Health and Geelong Hospital for treatment of his progressive renal failure.
On 27 July 2014, Mr Paul was admitted to Colac Hospital following a number of epileptic seizures. He was later diagnosed with pneumonia. In consultation with his family, the decision was made to institute palliative care measures. He passed away on 7 August 2014.
i
As Mr Paul was residing in a Department of Human Services run facility, his death was reported to the Coroners Court of Victoria.
Pathologist Paul Bedford of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine performed a post mortem medical inspection. Dr Bedford provided me with a report of his findings. Dr Bedford concluded that the cause of Mr Paul’s death was 1(a) pneumonia and 1(b) severe epilepsy with the contributing factor of renal cell cancer. He was of the opinion that Mr Paul’s death was due to natural causes. I adopt Dr Bedford’s findings in relation to the cause of death.
As part of my investigation, Leading Senior Constable Peter Clayton provided me with a coronial brief of evidence (the brief). The brief contains statements from the Unit Manager, Acting Unit Manager and Operation Manager of Colanda Residential Services along with Mr Paul’s doctor. It also contains medical records. I have relied on the totality of the evidence before me in setting out this finding.
Lam satisfied that Mr Paul died as a result of natural causes. I am satisfied that he received appropriate care at Colanda Residential Services.
Pursuant to section 73(1B) of the Coroners Act 2008, I direct that this finding be published on the internet.
I direct that a copy of this finding be provided to the following:
Mr Paul’s family
The Department of Health and Human Services
Leading Senior Constable Peter Clayton
Signature: 7 - 7? \ ; | ’ f | ' ]
PETER WHITE - CORONER = | Date: 6 July 2016 |
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