❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the death of Alexander Leahy at Princess Margaret Hospital in 1995 and the concerns raised by his mother, Ms. Cecile Leahy, about the handling of the case. The Minister's response details the hospital's investigation and expert opinions.
AnsweredQoN 261Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware of the circumstances surrounding the death of Alexander Leahy at Princess Margaret Hospital in 7 January 1995? (2) Is the Minister aware of Ms Cecile Leahy s concern that this was a preventable death, which was inappropriately handled by the Hospital? (3) What has the Minister done to ensure that this matter is properly investigated and resolved with Ms Leahy? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 September 2000
Response time
28 days
(1) Alexander Leahy was nearly two years of age when he was admitted to PMH on 6/1/95. His condition deteriorated and he died on 7/1/95 of Meningococcal septicaemia. Meningococcal septicaemia is a relatively rare disease which, in the early stages, can be indistinguishable from a viral infection. Septicaemia (infection in the blood) has a worse outcome than meningitis (infection in the fluid around the brain). There are many documented cases where the condition becomes fatal within a few hours of the patient becoming unwell. There is no single laboratory test, nor a method of clinical examination which can rapidly and reliably distinguish children who are about to become dangerously ill, from those with mild or moderate illness. (2) There is no evidence that Alexander Leahy's death was preventable. (3) The hospital sought independent expert medical opinion about this matter and no evidence was found that Alexander Leahy's death was preventable. Due to Ms Leahy's concerns, the hospital sought different independent expert medical opinion. Both these opinions showed that Alexander Leahy's death was not preventable. Ms Leahy has met with Mr Michael Moodie, the Chief Executive of PMH on a number of occasions and also the hospital's Director of Clinical Services. Mr Moodie has encouraged Ms Leahy to approach the independent Office of Health Review. The Director of the Office of Health Review is currently investigating the matter.
(2) Is the Minister aware of Ms Cecile Leahy s concern that this was a preventable death, which was inappropriately handled by the Hospital? (3) What has the Minister done to ensure that this matter is properly investigated and resolved with Ms Leahy? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) Alexander Leahy was nearly two years of age when he was admitted to PMH on 6/1/95. His condition deteriorated and he died on 7/1/95 of Meningococcal septicaemia. Meningococcal septicaemia is a relatively rare disease which, in the early stages, can be indistinguishable from a viral infection. Septicaemia (infection in the blood) has a worse outcome than meningitis (infection in the fluid around the brain). There are many documented cases where the condition becomes fatal within a few hours of the patient becoming unwell. There is no single laboratory test, nor a method of clinical examination which can rapidly and reliably distinguish children who are about to become dangerously ill, from those with mild or moderate illness. (2) There is no evidence that Alexander Leahy's death was preventable. (3) The hospital sought independent expert medical opinion about this matter and no evidence was found that Alexander Leahy's death was preventable. Due to Ms Leahy's concerns, the hospital sought different independent expert medical opinion. Both these opinions showed that Alexander Leahy's death was not preventable. Ms Leahy has met with Mr Michael Moodie, the Chief Executive of PMH on a number of occasions and also the hospital's Director of Clinical Services. Mr Moodie has encouraged Ms Leahy to approach the independent Office of Health Review. The Director of the Office of Health Review is currently investigating the matter.
(3) What has the Minister done to ensure that this matter is properly investigated and resolved with Ms Leahy? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) Alexander Leahy was nearly two years of age when he was admitted to PMH on 6/1/95. His condition deteriorated and he died on 7/1/95 of Meningococcal septicaemia. Meningococcal septicaemia is a relatively rare disease which, in the early stages, can be indistinguishable from a viral infection. Septicaemia (infection in the blood) has a worse outcome than meningitis (infection in the fluid around the brain). There are many documented cases where the condition becomes fatal within a few hours of the patient becoming unwell. There is no single laboratory test, nor a method of clinical examination which can rapidly and reliably distinguish children who are about to become dangerously ill, from those with mild or moderate illness. (2) There is no evidence that Alexander Leahy's death was preventable. (3) The hospital sought independent expert medical opinion about this matter and no evidence was found that Alexander Leahy's death was preventable. Due to Ms Leahy's concerns, the hospital sought different independent expert medical opinion. Both these opinions showed that Alexander Leahy's death was not preventable. Ms Leahy has met with Mr Michael Moodie, the Chief Executive of PMH on a number of occasions and also the hospital's Director of Clinical Services. Mr Moodie has encouraged Ms Leahy to approach the independent Office of Health Review. The Director of the Office of Health Review is currently investigating the matter.
Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) Alexander Leahy was nearly two years of age when he was admitted to PMH on 6/1/95. His condition deteriorated and he died on 7/1/95 of Meningococcal septicaemia. Meningococcal septicaemia is a relatively rare disease which, in the early stages, can be indistinguishable from a viral infection. Septicaemia (infection in the blood) has a worse outcome than meningitis (infection in the fluid around the brain). There are many documented cases where the condition becomes fatal within a few hours of the patient becoming unwell. There is no single laboratory test, nor a method of clinical examination which can rapidly and reliably distinguish children who are about to become dangerously ill, from those with mild or moderate illness. (2) There is no evidence that Alexander Leahy's death was preventable. (3) The hospital sought independent expert medical opinion about this matter and no evidence was found that Alexander Leahy's death was preventable. Due to Ms Leahy's concerns, the hospital sought different independent expert medical opinion. Both these opinions showed that Alexander Leahy's death was not preventable. Ms Leahy has met with Mr Michael Moodie, the Chief Executive of PMH on a number of occasions and also the hospital's Director of Clinical Services. Mr Moodie has encouraged Ms Leahy to approach the independent Office of Health Review. The Director of the Office of Health Review is currently investigating the matter.
(2) Is the Minister aware of Ms Cecile Leahy s concern that this was a preventable death, which was inappropriately handled by the Hospital? (3) What has the Minister done to ensure that this matter is properly investigated and resolved with Ms Leahy? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) Alexander Leahy was nearly two years of age when he was admitted to PMH on 6/1/95. His condition deteriorated and he died on 7/1/95 of Meningococcal septicaemia. Meningococcal septicaemia is a relatively rare disease which, in the early stages, can be indistinguishable from a viral infection. Septicaemia (infection in the blood) has a worse outcome than meningitis (infection in the fluid around the brain). There are many documented cases where the condition becomes fatal within a few hours of the patient becoming unwell. There is no single laboratory test, nor a method of clinical examination which can rapidly and reliably distinguish children who are about to become dangerously ill, from those with mild or moderate illness. (2) There is no evidence that Alexander Leahy's death was preventable. (3) The hospital sought independent expert medical opinion about this matter and no evidence was found that Alexander Leahy's death was preventable. Due to Ms Leahy's concerns, the hospital sought different independent expert medical opinion. Both these opinions showed that Alexander Leahy's death was not preventable. Ms Leahy has met with Mr Michael Moodie, the Chief Executive of PMH on a number of occasions and also the hospital's Director of Clinical Services. Mr Moodie has encouraged Ms Leahy to approach the independent Office of Health Review. The Director of the Office of Health Review is currently investigating the matter.
(3) What has the Minister done to ensure that this matter is properly investigated and resolved with Ms Leahy? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) Alexander Leahy was nearly two years of age when he was admitted to PMH on 6/1/95. His condition deteriorated and he died on 7/1/95 of Meningococcal septicaemia. Meningococcal septicaemia is a relatively rare disease which, in the early stages, can be indistinguishable from a viral infection. Septicaemia (infection in the blood) has a worse outcome than meningitis (infection in the fluid around the brain). There are many documented cases where the condition becomes fatal within a few hours of the patient becoming unwell. There is no single laboratory test, nor a method of clinical examination which can rapidly and reliably distinguish children who are about to become dangerously ill, from those with mild or moderate illness. (2) There is no evidence that Alexander Leahy's death was preventable. (3) The hospital sought independent expert medical opinion about this matter and no evidence was found that Alexander Leahy's death was preventable. Due to Ms Leahy's concerns, the hospital sought different independent expert medical opinion. Both these opinions showed that Alexander Leahy's death was not preventable. Ms Leahy has met with Mr Michael Moodie, the Chief Executive of PMH on a number of occasions and also the hospital's Director of Clinical Services. Mr Moodie has encouraged Ms Leahy to approach the independent Office of Health Review. The Director of the Office of Health Review is currently investigating the matter.
Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) Alexander Leahy was nearly two years of age when he was admitted to PMH on 6/1/95. His condition deteriorated and he died on 7/1/95 of Meningococcal septicaemia. Meningococcal septicaemia is a relatively rare disease which, in the early stages, can be indistinguishable from a viral infection. Septicaemia (infection in the blood) has a worse outcome than meningitis (infection in the fluid around the brain). There are many documented cases where the condition becomes fatal within a few hours of the patient becoming unwell. There is no single laboratory test, nor a method of clinical examination which can rapidly and reliably distinguish children who are about to become dangerously ill, from those with mild or moderate illness. (2) There is no evidence that Alexander Leahy's death was preventable. (3) The hospital sought independent expert medical opinion about this matter and no evidence was found that Alexander Leahy's death was preventable. Due to Ms Leahy's concerns, the hospital sought different independent expert medical opinion. Both these opinions showed that Alexander Leahy's death was not preventable. Ms Leahy has met with Mr Michael Moodie, the Chief Executive of PMH on a number of occasions and also the hospital's Director of Clinical Services. Mr Moodie has encouraged Ms Leahy to approach the independent Office of Health Review. The Director of the Office of Health Review is currently investigating the matter.
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