Finding into death of Simone Grigg

34y · Female·Pneumonia in a woman with intellectual disability and asthma

Simone Grigg, a 34-year-old woman with intellectual disability and asthma, died from pneumonia. She was living in DHHS supported accommodation and attending Amicus day services. On 21 November 2017, she developed respiratory distress after receiving hay fever medication. Staff noticed deterioration but were advised to return her home rather than go directly to hospital. She was admitted to Bendigo Hospital in acute respiratory distress, intubated, and treated in ICU but died three days later. The Disability Services Commissioner identified critical failures: Amicus failed to seek urgent medical attention; DHHS inadequately managed her deteriorating health, failed to communicate medication changes to day services staff, and provided no clear communication assessment. Better communication between residential and day services, prompt medical escalation, and proper documentation of health status and medication changes could have altered outcomes.