Inquest into the death of Richard Lewis

91y · Male·complications of pneumonia

Richard Lewis, a 91-year-old man in custody, died of pneumonia complicated by underlying ischaemic heart disease and chronic lung disease. He was transferred from the Aged Care and Rehabilitation Unit at Long Bay Hospital to the Kevin Waller Unit on 23 February 2015. On 6 April, he presented with shortness of breath, malaise and productive cough, was readmitted to Long Bay Hospital, then transferred to Prince of Wales Hospital on 9 April where he deteriorated with evidence of acute myocardial damage and pulmonary oedema. He died on 19 April 2015. Expert respiratory physician assessment concluded the pneumonia was community-acquired pneumococcal infection unrelated to accommodation conditions, likely aspiration from nasopharyngeal carriage or person-to-person contact. The coroner found no deficiencies in care by Corrective Services or Justice Health and concluded nothing could reasonably have prevented his death given his age and rapid deterioration.