Inquest into the death of Idris GRIFFITHS

80y · Male·Pneumonia, with multi-organ failure in the form of liver failure (due to chronic Hepatitis C infection) and congestive cardiac failure (due to ischaemic heart disease) as antecedent causes

Idris Griffiths, a 80-year-old man, died of pneumonia with multi-organ failure whilst in custody at Long Bay Correctional Centre. He had advanced chronic hepatitis C with cirrhosis, ischaemic heart disease, and a history of falls due to poor mobility and hepatic encephalopathy. After a fall on 14 July 2014, he was admitted to hospital where his condition rapidly deteriorated. He was placed on palliative care and died five days later. The coroner found that Justice Health and Corrective Services appropriately managed his complex medical conditions, including fall prevention strategies, physiotherapy, and mobility aids. No evidence suggested preventable factors contributed to his death, and his rapid deterioration in hospital was consistent with his underlying disease burden and age.