Michael Curran’s death in custody result of medical failure, SA coroner’s court hears
A man who killed his own father and slashed the throat of a former brothel receptionist died in custody because of healthcare failures, a court has heard.
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A man who murdered a former brothel receptionist by slashing her throat, and earlier stabbed his own father to death, died in custody because of healthcare failures, a court has heard.
Michael Anthony Curran died of liver cancer at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in 2015. He was serving a life sentence for killing a former receptionist of high-profile brothel owner Stormy Summers in 2005.
From age 15, Curran, of Hamley Bridge, spent five years in a mental hospital after stabbing his father to death in Tasmania in 1969. He was found not guilty due to insanity.
Curran knew he had hepatitis C for many years before his death, and was also diagnosed with cirrhosis.
He was moved between Yatala Labor Prison and Port Augusta Prison more than 10 times over his decade in prison to attend medical appointments.
In June 2015, Curran complained to prison staff of aching in his liver, kidney and spleen. Three months later, he was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital as pain relief was not working. A CT scan revealed he had widespread advanced metastatic cancer, and a large tumour on his abdomen.
In the Coroners Court yesterday, evidence was presented to deputy coroner Anthony Schapel of the circumstances of the death.
An expert review from Professor Geoff McCaughan, from Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the University of Sydney, found Curran’s health was a medical management failure.
“Hepatitis C with cirrhosis normally should be managed by at least six-monthly visits with six-monthly ultrasounds … with the aim being to detect early hepatocellular cancer,” Prof McCaughan said.
“International and national practice guidelines indicate that patients with cirrhosis should undergo screening for liver cancer every six months.
“In the case of Mr Curran, this was not undertaken and thus a failure of medical management has occurred.”
He found Curran’s death could not have been prevented, but could have been delayed. The court visited Yatala Labor Prison to view its medical resources.