Coroner's Finding: Lane, Kevin Roy

81y · Male·inanition complicating traumatic brain injury and disseminated malignancy

An 81-year-old man with metastatic bowel cancer suffered a traumatic brain injury from a fall, resulting in multiple intracerebral haemorrhages and cerebral contusions. He was delirious and presented challenging behaviours. A guardianship order was obtained to enable medical care. Despite recommendations for nasogastric feeding, he consistently refused nutrition, stating he was dying and wanted peace. He was transitioned to comfort care and died from inanition complicating his brain injury and malignancy. The consultant noted his head injuries alone would not have been fatal, and survival was possible had he accepted nutrition, though with diminished quality of life. The coroner found the standard of care appropriate in challenging circumstances and made no recommendations.