Inquest into the Death of Eric WUMBIE

37y · Male·valvular and ischaemic heart disease

Eric Wumbie, a 37-year-old Aboriginal male prisoner, died from valvular and ischaemic heart disease on 13 April 2016 following intraoperative cardiac arrest during planned cardiothoracic surgery at Fiona Stanley Hospital. He had severe aortic regurgitation, left ventricular failure, and coronary artery stenosis diagnosed only three weeks before death. Although his condition developed over 3-5 years and featured a subtle cardiac murmur easily missed on routine examination, cardiac screening was appropriately withheld in the absence of symptoms. The Coroner found high-quality hospital care and appropriate prison management. However, systemic failures included: (1) lack of documentation regarding prisoner notification to next-of-kin despite policy requirements; and (2) absence of discharge summary transmission between Derby and Broome Hospitals potentially contributing to diagnostic delay. The death was not preventable given the acute nature of the final presentation, but improved information transfer protocols could enhance future prisoner healthcare coordination.