Coroner's Finding: ASHTON Lorraine June

78y · Female·advanced dementia (end stage)

Mrs Lorraine Ashton, aged 78, died of advanced dementia (end stage) at Repatriation General Hospital on 23 September 2017. She had Primary Progressive Aphasia diagnosed in 2014 following non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment. After admission to RGH on 23 August 2017 with escalating behavioural disturbances including agitation, aggression, and falls, she was placed on an Inpatient Treatment Order. She required physical restraint and intramuscular medication for safety management. Palliative care commenced on 8 September 2017. The coroner found her hospital care was appropriate for end-stage dementia and made no recommendations. Clinical lessons include managing behavioural disturbance in advanced dementia with appropriate psychiatric and geriatric input, clear communication with families about disease progression and treatment goals, and appropriate use of involuntary treatment orders when necessary for safety.