Deceased
Patricia Shaw
Demographics
87y, female
Date of death
2015-10-27
Finding date
2017-09-11
Cause of death
combined effects of pentobarbitone, oxazepam, amlodipine and zopiclone ingestion with circumstantial evidence of external airway obstruction due to smothering and plastic bag asphyxia
AI-generated summary
Mrs Patricia Shaw, aged 87, died from combined drug ingestion (pentobarbitone, oxazepam, zopiclone, amlodipine) with evidence of smothering and plastic bag asphyxia. This was a planned end-of-life death undertaken with her husband's assistance. Mrs Shaw was a long-term patient of her GP who found her cognitively intact, without depression or suicidal ideation, and with an Advanced Care Directive in place. The case illustrates the clinical and ethical complexities surrounding end-of-life care in patients with progressive physical deterioration who wish to avoid institutionalisation. No clinical errors or failures in medical care were identified. The coroner noted the matter fell outside her jurisdiction given concurrent parliamentary development of voluntary assisted dying legislation.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
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