Deceased
Wayne HARRIS
Demographics
56y, male
Coroner
Coroner Sarah Tyler
Date of death
2024-11-28
Finding date
2026-04-14
Cause of death
Complications of advanced metastatic sigmoid adenocarcinoma in an adult man with terminal palliative care
AI-generated summary
Wayne Harris was a 56-year-old Aboriginal man with advanced metastatic sigmoid adenocarcinoma who died in prison custody from complications of his terminal cancer. He was incarcerated for 11 years for child sex offences. While overall medical management of his cancer was high-standard, transportation issues prevented him from attending chemotherapy appointments consistently due to anxiety and claustrophobia related to prison vehicles. A misunderstanding about his transport needs in July 2023 led to approximately five months of missed chemotherapy between May and October 2023. Although the coroner found care acceptable, expert review acknowledged that prison constraints prevented care equivalent to community standards. Early identification of transport-related barriers and better communication between health and custodial staff could have ensured more consistent treatment, potentially improving quality of life despite the terminal prognosis.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Error types
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
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87y · Male·Metastatic carcinoma of the prostate with complications (end-of-life palliative …
Errol Warren Bartlett-Torr, aged 87, died of metastatic prostate cancer on 20 June 2021 whilst in prison custody and receiving palliative care at Bethesda Hospital. Clinical lessons include: (1) elevated PSA findings sho…
71y · Male·Complications of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (terminal palliation)
Leslie Shortte, a 71-year-old life prisoner, died from metastatic squamous cell carcinoma with complications. Critical failures in his prison medical care included: failure to complete annual health assessments after 201…
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