Finding into death of Robert John Spencer

43y · Male·Acute bacterial meningitis

Robert Spencer, a 43-year-old man, died from acute bacterial meningitis on 3 October 2009. He presented with back pain, fever, and paraesthesia on 25 September, attended Benalla Hospital (discharged home), saw GP Dr S. on 28 September (diagnosed lumbar strain), attended Wangaratta Hospital on 30 September (discharged without medical assessment), and saw Dr S. again on 1 October with elevated CRP results (suspected Q fever, prescribed doxycycline). The coroner found Dr S.'s management appropriate: meningitis presented atypically (no headache, neck stiffness, or fever at consultations), mimicking musculoskeletal or occupational disease. Diagnostic tests ordered were reasonable. The coroner concluded no doctor could have diagnosed meningitis at the time, emphasizing the educational value of this unusual presentation for general practitioners.