Coroner outlines 'deficiencies'

An independent investigation into Albany Hospital following the WA Coroner’s findings surrounding the death of 17-year-old Kieran Watmore has been given the green light by the State Government.

The independent WA Health and Disability Services Complaints Office will conduct the investigation and report to Health Minister Kim Hames.

The teenager’s family welcomed the investigation.

They hope it will provide a safer hospital environment for the people of Albany and ensure the circumstances surrounding their son’s death never occur again.

During a 2009 inquest, WA Coroner Alastair Hope outlined “systemic deficiencies” and a “failure by nursing staff” at Albany Hospital had resulted in Mr Watmore’s death on August 28, 2008.

Mr Watmore was admitted with tonsillitis but died of what specialists believed was asphyxia 15-hours later.

Mr Hope described the death as “preventable” and outlined a raft of recommendations including uniform changes to patient observation regimes.

In a letter sent to Kieran’s father Jim, Health Minister Kim Hames said the Health and Disability Services Complaints Office (formally Office of Health Review) would conduct an independent investigation into the implementation of recommendations made by the coroner.

The investigation was recommended to the government by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

Dr Hames said he hoped the investigation would restore confidence to the people of Albany in their health service and provide peace of mind for the Watmore family.

Jim Watmore said he expected the investigation would expose whether the hospital had changed its ways following his son’s death.

He said he was happy Dr Hames had taken an ongoing commitment to the case and looked forward to its findings.

No time line has been put on the investigation.

Department of Health director general Kim Snowball said he was confident the review would further reinforce and recognise the significant improvements made at Albany Regional Hospital.

“I am personally monitoring the response that Health has taken following Kieran’s death,” he said.

“I am very confident that we have been very diligent in implementing the recommendations from the coroner.”