Finding into death of Karenne King

FORM 37 Rule 60(1)

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

Court reference: 568/11 Inquest into the Death of KARENNE KING

Delivered On: 28th October, 2011

Delivered At: Coroners Court of Victoria

Level 11, 222 Exhibition Street Melbourne Victoria 3000

Hearing Dates: 28th October, 2011 Findings of: CORONER JOHN OLLE Place of death: Eastern Palliative Care

251 Mountain Highway, Wantirna 3152

Police Coronial Support Unit (PCSU): Leading Senior Constable Amanda Maybury

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FORM 37 Rule 60(1)

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

Court reference: 568/11 In the Coroners Court of Victoria at Melbourne J, JOHN OLLE, Coroner having investigated the death of: Details of deceased:

Surname; KING

Firstname: KARENNE

Address: 70 Kawarren Street, Balwyn North, Victoria 3104 AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 28th October, 2011 at Melbourne find that the identity of the deceased was KARENNE KING and death occurred on 12th February, 2011

at Eastern Palliative Care, 251 Mountain Highway, Wantirna, Victoria 3152

from la. END-STAGE LIVER FAILURE AND CONGENITAL

HEPATIC FIBROSIS in the following circumstances:

1. Karenne King was aged 52 years at the time of her death, Karenne suffered an intellectual disability and lived in care in a Department of Human Services facility at 70 Kawarren Street, Balwyn. Karenne had resided at her address for the previous 12 to 14 years.

2. The coronial brief has fully addressed the circumstances of Karenne’s care.

3. The detailed report of Dr Yvette Kozielski has greatly assisted my investigation.

4. The summary of the coronial investigator, read into evidence, is accurate:

“Karenne was born on 06/08/1958 and had an intellectual disability. She lived in a DHS facility at 70 Kawarren Street, Balwyn for approximately 12-14 years and required fulltime care. She had a history of congenital hepatic fibrosis complicated by portal hypertension and ascites.

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In mid 2008, Karenne was admitted to Box Hill Hospital for a gastroscopy. From December 2008 Karenne was seen on a regular basis in the liver clinic and underwent further gastroscopies,

Towards the end of 2010 Karenne’s condition deteriorated and she spent much of her time in the Box Hill Hospital. Whilst in the hospital Karenne’s condition improved and she returned to DHS care on 23rd December 2010 with some increased support.

On 5 January 2011 Karenne was taken to Box Hill Hospital emergency depariment. She was admitted and treated and a decision was made to place Karenne in a high care facility upon discharge. She was also assessed by the Palliative Care Team.

On 20 January 2011 Karenne was transferred to the Peter James Centre for restorative care; however, in the early hours of 21 J anuary she was transferred back to Box Hill Hospital where she was treated until 25 J anuary before being transferred to Wantima Palliative Care Unit for end of life care,

Whilst at Wantirna, Karenne’s condition improved slightly before again deteriorating, Karenne died at 2.55pm on 12 February 2011 with her family present.

An external examination was conducted by pathologist Michael Burke and he cited the cause of death as 1(a) End-stage liver failure and 1(b) Congenital hepatic fibrosis."

Post Mortem Medical Examination

On 15th February, 2011, Dr Michael Burke, Forensic Pathologist at the Victorian Institute

of Forensic Medicine, performed an external examination only on the body of Karenne King,

Dr Burke found the cause of death to be end-stage liver failure and congenital hepatic

fibrosis.

Iam satisfied that care provided Ms King through the course of her life was appropriate.

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Finding

T find the cause of death of Kareme King to be endfibrosis.

Signature: iy} John Olle |

Coroner

Date: 28th Octdber, 2011

DISTRIBUTION:

Mrs Norma King

Senior Constable Kevin Bridle Dr Y Kozielski

Eastern Palliative Care, Wantirna

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stage liver failure and congenital hepatic