Coroner's Finding: SHANKLAND Alistair Douglas

78y · Male·Subarachnoid haemorrhage (bilateral) and occipital fracture

A 78-year-old man with vascular and Alzheimer's dementia died from bilateral subarachnoid haemorrhage and occipital fracture sustained when he forcefully opened a bathroom door into his face while under an Inpatient Treatment Order for behavioural disturbance. He had been admitted following aggressive behaviour related to dementia progression. Despite the incident occurring under mental health detention, the coroner found the detention was lawful and care standards appropriate. The family expressed satisfaction with care provided. The death resulted from the traumatic injury itself rather than any deficiency in clinical management or supervision.