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Inquest into 'similar' clinic deaths starts

Inquest into 'similar' clinic deaths starts

WA health boss Professor Bryant Stokes will be called to give evidence at the inquest into the deaths of five patients of a Fremantle psychiatric clinic.

The State’s chief psychiatrist Dr Nathan Gibson, and his predecessor Dr Rowan Davidson, are also among 41 witnesses who will appear during the three-week inquest, which started today.

Anthony Ian Edwards, Carly Jean Elliott, Ruby Natasha Nicholls-Diver, Stephen Colin Robson and Michael Ronald Thomas died with 12 months of each other after contact with the Alma Street Clinic.

The deaths prompted investigations within the health department, the State Government, and the State Coroner to hold an inquest.

Counsel assisting Kate Ellson said the deaths were similar and could be considered to be representative of many deaths in WA every year.

“It is hoped that by investigating their deaths together, each can contribute to significant advancements in this State, toward preventing similar deaths in the future,” she said.

The court heard how Ms Elliott, 20, was found dead in her bedroom on March 31 2011 after months of contact with the Alma Street Clinic, including emergency calls by herself and her father and a request from her GP or an urgent review of her case.

Ms Elliott began suffering from stress two years into her law studies at law school and her GP had referred her to the Alma Street Clinic.

Mr Robson, 47, was an involuntary patient of the Alma Street Clinic when he died on March 28 2012. With a history of depression and anxiety, Mr Robson had electro-convulsive therapy on the day he died.

Fifteen minutes after returning to the ward, Mr Robson was allowed to go into the hospital grounds, escorted by a mental health nurse, to have a cigarette.

The nurse then lost sight of Mr Robson and raised the alarm. CCTV footage showed Mr Robson walking through the entry and exit doors as a medical student entered with her access card. A few minutes later Mr Robson died on Hampton Road nearby.

Anthony Edwards, who was a budding professional golfer, was 26 when he died on March 20 2012. He had managed mental illness for around six years with the help of his GP when a change in medication seemed to adversely affect him.

He was admitted to the Alma Street Clinic as an involuntary patient seven days before his death. He was discharged on March 19 and found dead behind a building in Fremantle the next day.

Ruby Nicholls-Diver was found dead on March 2 2011, hours after being discharged from the Alma Street Clinic. The day before, the 18-year-old had tried to take her own life in the hospital. Five days before her death, Ms Nicholls-Diver had gone to Fremantle Hospital’s emergency department, saying she was suicidal and having difficulty keeping herself safe. It was her first admission into an adult psychiatric facility.

Mr Thomas was a telecommunications manager who began suffering from paranoia and anxiety after being made redundant and becoming unemployed. The father-of-was discharged from the Alma Street Clinic in June 2 2011. Ms Ellson said Mr Thomas woke the next day in despair and his wife planned to take him back to the clinic to be assessed. But while Mrs Thomas was in the shower, Mr Thomas left the house and she never saw him again. His body was found in bushland on September 2011.

The inquest continues.