Inquest into voluntary euthanasia scheme after Qld widower’s death begins

A depressed elderly widower kept possession of euthanasia drugs approved for a terminally ill partner who died in hospital without taking them, and took the lethal dose. A coroner will explore how this was allowed to occur.

Central Coroner David O’Connell will investigate the death of an elderly widower who took euthanasia drugs prescribed for his terminally ill wife.

A Coroner will investigate how an elderly widower was able to keep possession of euthanasia drugs intended for a terminally ill partner for days after they were required to be returned, and instead taking the lethal dose.

The terminally ill partner had been approved to legally end their life in the first half of 2023 under Queensland’s Voluntary Assisted Dying laws however their health deteriorated and they died in hospital without taking the drugs, which had already been provided.

A pre inquest conference heard the first action to recover the VAD substance occurred on the due date the drugs were to be returned, which was more than one week after the VAD patient died in hospital.

Council assisting the coroner John Aberdeen told the pre inquest conference held in Mackay the elderly spouse had been told as part of the process before the VAD substances had been provided that it was a requirement to return them within 14 days if unused.

The court heard on the day of the VAD patient’s death two medical workers were requested to remind the elderly spouse to return the unused substance “and accordingly (the spouse) was reminded at that time”.

“Following the passing of the VAD patient the (spouse) seemed to … be lost and depressed,” Mr Aberdeen said.

The court heard the VAD review board requested a follow up about the unused substance on the morning of the final day it was due to be returned, which was more than one week after the death of the VAD patient.

Central Coroner David O’Connell will investigate the death of an elderly widower who took euthanasia drugs prescribed for his terminally ill wife. Photo: Kari Bourne / Sunshine Coast Daily

Mr Aberdeen said the request was actioned that same day with a medical officer speaking to a family member who had been staying with the elderly couple at this time.

The court heard the medical officer followed it up again four days later that it needed to be returned the next day, which the family member communicated to the widower before leaving the home for several hours to run errands.

Mr Aberdeen said when the family member returned the home was locked and secured – on gaining access the elderly spouse was found in their lounge chair unresponsive.

“The VAD kit was open,” Mr Aberdeen said.

The elderly spouse was pronounced dead.

Central Coroner David O’Connell, who covers an area from the Whitsundays south to Gayndah, will investigate the entire process from the supply of the VAD substance until “its apparent consumption” by the elderly spouse.

The first action taken to recover the unused VAD substance appeared to be on the day it was due to be returned, Mr Aberdeen said.

“The period of concern in respect of the VAD process commences when the substance … is provided … it is quite obviously a substance which is capable of causing serious harm if it is misused,” Mr Aberdeen said.

Three witnesses will be called for the inquest including a family member and two health workers involved in the VAD process.

The inquest will investigate if such timelines for self administered VAD substances were not observed “to what extent (if any) did they contribute to the death” and “if such timelines had been observed, would this death likely have been prevented?”.

The inquest will be held in Brisbane on February 20.

The state’s VAD laws came into effect 12 months ago in January 2023, about 15 months after the legislation passed in state parliament.

Originally published as Inquest into voluntary euthanasia scheme after Qld widower’s death begins