Coroner's Finding: PORTER John Bruce

72y · Male·inanition of terminal metastatic carcinoma of the left lung

A 72-year-old man with chronic mental illness detained under the Mental Health Act died of inanition from terminal metastatic lung cancer at an aged care facility. He had advanced lung disease from chronic smoking and was diagnosed with inoperable, aggressive lung cancer with brain metastases in early 2009. Palliative care with morphine was instituted. He deteriorated rapidly over the final months as cancer spread to liver and bones. Death occurred peacefully in his room at night. The coroner found his detention lawful and appropriate, and that he received appropriate care while detained. No clinical errors or preventability issues were identified. The case highlights the intersection of mental health law with end-of-life care in institutional settings.