Finding into death of Gregory Bernard Duffy

55y · Male·Urosepsis and pneumonia, with contributing factor of Down syndrome

Gregory Duffy, a 55-year-old man with Down syndrome and intellectual disability living in supported accommodation, died from urosepsis and pneumonia following recurrent urinary tract infections. He had multiple UTIs during 2020, with a documented sepsis admission in August. In late November, he developed signs of infection with fever and elevated blood glucose; paramedics were called appropriately. He was hospitalised, initially appeared to improve, but deteriorated and developed hospital-acquired pneumonia. The coroner found no evidence that disability service provision contributed to his death. Life Without Barriers identified opportunities for improved documentation and implemented remedial measures. The death resulted from natural causes in the context of his underlying medical vulnerabilities.