Coroner releases findings on David Van Vledder death

A coroner has released her findings about the death of a Grovedale man who told Geelong hospital staff he was going for a cigarette but hailed a taxi and took his life.

David Van Vledder. Picture: Tuckers website

A Grovedale man who told Geelong hospital staff he was going for a cigarette hailed a taxi and took his life.

David Van Vledder died aged 48 in March 2021.

Coroner Paresa Antoniadis Spanos’ findings about his death were recently released, and noted he had a history of heavy drinking and depression symptoms.

His employer described him as increasingly paranoid leading up to his death.

On the day he died, he attended Geelong hospital’s emergency department twice.

The first time he was seen by a doctor and was referred to mental health triage, but left the emergency department, Ms Spanos wrote.

A mental health clinician called Mr Van Vledder, who advised he left the hospital because he needed to rest.

David Van Vledder presented to Geelong hospital’s emergency department twice the day he died.

“The clinician informed Mr Van Vledder about his concern,” Ms Spanos said.

Later that day, Mr Van Vledder presented again.

“The mental health triage nurse was of the opinion that as Mr Van Vledder had self-presented to ED and was accepting of assistance and further assessment, he did not meet the criteria under Mental Health Act 2014, which would have allowed compulsory psychiatric assessment and treatment,” Ms Spanos wrote.

The nurse formed a treatment plan, and a doctor agreed that he did not meet the Act criteria.

Mr Van Vledder asked to leave the ED to smoke, and wasallowed to on the proviso that he left his suitcase behind as an incentive for return.

“The nurse also noted that Mr Van Vledder was not displaying any active suicidality,” Ms Spanos wrote.

Mr Van Vledder left the hospital and unbeknownst to staff, hailed a taxi.

Staff tried to contact and find Ms Van Vledder.

Later that day they notified police, but by then Mr Van Vledder had taken his life.

His mother wrote to the coroners court with concerns that her son was allowed to leave hospital to smoke as she knew he had not smoked in 20 years.

The Coroners Prevention Unit (CPU) found his treatment at Geelong hospital seemed “generally reasonable.”

Ms Spanos found if Mr Van Vledder had been asked about his smoking status during triage, it may reduced the likelihood of him leaving.

“Had Mr Van Vledder … reported not being a smoker, his request to leave for a cigarette likely would have raised suspicion,” Ms Spanos wrote.

However, the CPU noted Mr Van Vledder was a voluntary patient and could not be forced to engage in a nicotine dependence assessment or to remain in ED if he wanted to go out for a cigarette.

Ms Spanos recommended that in line with Victorian Network of Smokefree Health Services guidance, Barwon Health consider asking all patients presenting to ED about their smoking status and, where clinically appropriate, that this trigger a further assessment of nicotine dependence and appropriate management.

Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said it was reviewing the coroner’s recommendations to determine the best way to manage patients in the ED identified as smokers.

If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Barwon Health mental health, drugs and alcohol triage on 1300 094 187.

Originally published as Coroner releases findings on David Van Vledder death