Finding into death of John William Macfie

73y · Male·complications of lung carcinoma in a man with multiple comorbidities

John William Macfie, a 73-year-old man with extensive medical comorbidities (COPD, ischemic heart disease, prior CABG surgeries, cardiac stents, hypertension, hyperlipidemia) and a chronic smoking history, died from complications of lung carcinoma. A chest X-ray in September 2011 suggested possible underlying lesions but Mr Macfie repeatedly refused CT imaging until April 2013, when lung cancer was confirmed. He also declined further investigations and interventions. Despite this, he received appropriate medical management and symptomatic care. He was transferred to hospital in January 2014 after chest pain, developed pneumonia, and palliative care was initiated in late January. The coroner found medical management reasonable and appropriate, and that Mr Macfie made informed, independent decisions to decline investigations and treatment. No preventable factors were identified.