❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks details on recorded causes of death for infants known to the Department for Community Development in 2003-04 and 2004-05. The response details the process of information gathering and provides initial circumstances of death, not confirmed causes.
AnsweredQoN 604Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - RECORDS OF CHILD DEATHS
(1) Of the 21 children aged one year or under who were known to the Department for Community Development and who died in the same year as baby Wade Scale - that is, 2003-04 - did the relevant DCD files record the cause of death for each child; if not, why not; and, if so, what was the cause of death for each of the children? (2) Of the 34 children aged one year or under who were known to DCD and who died in 2004-05, did the relevant DCD files record the cause of death for each child; and, if not, why not; and, if so, what was the cause of death for each of the children? Hon SUE ELLERY
(1) Of the 21 children aged one year or under who were known to the Department for Community Development and who died in the same year as baby Wade Scale - that is, 2003-04 - did the relevant DCD files record the cause of death for each child; if not, why not; and, if so, what was the cause of death for each of the children? (2) Of the 34 children aged one year or under who were known to DCD and who died in 2004-05, did the relevant DCD files record the cause of death for each child; and, if not, why not; and, if so, what was the cause of death for each of the children? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Community Development, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1)-(2) Information regarding the cause of death is not available until after a post mortem, and is released only by the coroner who makes a determination about the cause of death. Accurate information and child mortality data for children in WA need to be obtained via the Coroner’s Court of WA and the Department of Health WA. However, in late 2002 a statewide child death review process was established by the department. The Department for Community Development has a reciprocal agreement with the State Coroner that the department will receive information about child deaths that are reportable under the Coroners Act. These include deaths from non-natural causes and deaths for which the cause is not known. In cases in which there is the sudden or unexpected death of a child aged 18 years or under, the department receives a notification via the Coroner’s Court of WA. A search is then undertaken of the department’s records. In cases in which the child is the subject of an open contact with the department, the information is provided to the relevant district office. In cases in which the death of the child presents concerning circumstances, and there are other children in the family, the local district office will be requested to undertake an assessment of the safety of the siblings. All notifications are forwarded to the local DCD district office for the information of staff should the deceased child’s family seek assistance with the funeral or other support. The coroner’s notification details the initial circumstances of the child’s death. This information is placed on the child’s file, if there is an existing file. The cause of death is determined by the coroner. The following information reflects initial circumstances, not cause of death, as reported to the department by the Coroner’s Court of Western Australia. The circumstances of death in 2003-04 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 15 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of sudden infant death syndrome and co-sleeping; two drownings; two head injuries caused in motor vehicle accidents; one cardiac arrest; and one homicide, making 21 in total. The circumstances of death in 2004-05 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 25 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of SIDS and co-sleeping; four birth-related or acquired illnesses; two alleged homicides; two injuries arising from accidental circumstances; and one case of neglect, making 34 in total.
(2) Of the 34 children aged one year or under who were known to DCD and who died in 2004-05, did the relevant DCD files record the cause of death for each child; and, if not, why not; and, if so, what was the cause of death for each of the children? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Community Development, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1)-(2) Information regarding the cause of death is not available until after a post mortem, and is released only by the coroner who makes a determination about the cause of death. Accurate information and child mortality data for children in WA need to be obtained via the Coroner’s Court of WA and the Department of Health WA. However, in late 2002 a statewide child death review process was established by the department. The Department for Community Development has a reciprocal agreement with the State Coroner that the department will receive information about child deaths that are reportable under the Coroners Act. These include deaths from non-natural causes and deaths for which the cause is not known. In cases in which there is the sudden or unexpected death of a child aged 18 years or under, the department receives a notification via the Coroner’s Court of WA. A search is then undertaken of the department’s records. In cases in which the child is the subject of an open contact with the department, the information is provided to the relevant district office. In cases in which the death of the child presents concerning circumstances, and there are other children in the family, the local district office will be requested to undertake an assessment of the safety of the siblings. All notifications are forwarded to the local DCD district office for the information of staff should the deceased child’s family seek assistance with the funeral or other support. The coroner’s notification details the initial circumstances of the child’s death. This information is placed on the child’s file, if there is an existing file. The cause of death is determined by the coroner. The following information reflects initial circumstances, not cause of death, as reported to the department by the Coroner’s Court of Western Australia. The circumstances of death in 2003-04 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 15 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of sudden infant death syndrome and co-sleeping; two drownings; two head injuries caused in motor vehicle accidents; one cardiac arrest; and one homicide, making 21 in total. The circumstances of death in 2004-05 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 25 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of SIDS and co-sleeping; four birth-related or acquired illnesses; two alleged homicides; two injuries arising from accidental circumstances; and one case of neglect, making 34 in total.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Community Development, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1)-(2) Information regarding the cause of death is not available until after a post mortem, and is released only by the coroner who makes a determination about the cause of death. Accurate information and child mortality data for children in WA need to be obtained via the Coroner’s Court of WA and the Department of Health WA. However, in late 2002 a statewide child death review process was established by the department. The Department for Community Development has a reciprocal agreement with the State Coroner that the department will receive information about child deaths that are reportable under the Coroners Act. These include deaths from non-natural causes and deaths for which the cause is not known. In cases in which there is the sudden or unexpected death of a child aged 18 years or under, the department receives a notification via the Coroner’s Court of WA. A search is then undertaken of the department’s records. In cases in which the child is the subject of an open contact with the department, the information is provided to the relevant district office. In cases in which the death of the child presents concerning circumstances, and there are other children in the family, the local district office will be requested to undertake an assessment of the safety of the siblings. All notifications are forwarded to the local DCD district office for the information of staff should the deceased child’s family seek assistance with the funeral or other support. The coroner’s notification details the initial circumstances of the child’s death. This information is placed on the child’s file, if there is an existing file. The cause of death is determined by the coroner. The following information reflects initial circumstances, not cause of death, as reported to the department by the Coroner’s Court of Western Australia. The circumstances of death in 2003-04 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 15 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of sudden infant death syndrome and co-sleeping; two drownings; two head injuries caused in motor vehicle accidents; one cardiac arrest; and one homicide, making 21 in total. The circumstances of death in 2004-05 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 25 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of SIDS and co-sleeping; four birth-related or acquired illnesses; two alleged homicides; two injuries arising from accidental circumstances; and one case of neglect, making 34 in total.
On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Community Development, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1)-(2) Information regarding the cause of death is not available until after a post mortem, and is released only by the coroner who makes a determination about the cause of death. Accurate information and child mortality data for children in WA need to be obtained via the Coroner’s Court of WA and the Department of Health WA. However, in late 2002 a statewide child death review process was established by the department. The Department for Community Development has a reciprocal agreement with the State Coroner that the department will receive information about child deaths that are reportable under the Coroners Act. These include deaths from non-natural causes and deaths for which the cause is not known. In cases in which there is the sudden or unexpected death of a child aged 18 years or under, the department receives a notification via the Coroner’s Court of WA. A search is then undertaken of the department’s records. In cases in which the child is the subject of an open contact with the department, the information is provided to the relevant district office. In cases in which the death of the child presents concerning circumstances, and there are other children in the family, the local district office will be requested to undertake an assessment of the safety of the siblings. All notifications are forwarded to the local DCD district office for the information of staff should the deceased child’s family seek assistance with the funeral or other support. The coroner’s notification details the initial circumstances of the child’s death. This information is placed on the child’s file, if there is an existing file. The cause of death is determined by the coroner. The following information reflects initial circumstances, not cause of death, as reported to the department by the Coroner’s Court of Western Australia. The circumstances of death in 2003-04 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 15 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of sudden infant death syndrome and co-sleeping; two drownings; two head injuries caused in motor vehicle accidents; one cardiac arrest; and one homicide, making 21 in total. The circumstances of death in 2004-05 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 25 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of SIDS and co-sleeping; four birth-related or acquired illnesses; two alleged homicides; two injuries arising from accidental circumstances; and one case of neglect, making 34 in total.
(1)-(2) Information regarding the cause of death is not available until after a post mortem, and is released only by the coroner who makes a determination about the cause of death. Accurate information and child mortality data for children in WA need to be obtained via the Coroner’s Court of WA and the Department of Health WA. However, in late 2002 a statewide child death review process was established by the department. The Department for Community Development has a reciprocal agreement with the State Coroner that the department will receive information about child deaths that are reportable under the Coroners Act. These include deaths from non-natural causes and deaths for which the cause is not known. In cases in which there is the sudden or unexpected death of a child aged 18 years or under, the department receives a notification via the Coroner’s Court of WA. A search is then undertaken of the department’s records. In cases in which the child is the subject of an open contact with the department, the information is provided to the relevant district office. In cases in which the death of the child presents concerning circumstances, and there are other children in the family, the local district office will be requested to undertake an assessment of the safety of the siblings. All notifications are forwarded to the local DCD district office for the information of staff should the deceased child’s family seek assistance with the funeral or other support. The coroner’s notification details the initial circumstances of the child’s death. This information is placed on the child’s file, if there is an existing file. The cause of death is determined by the coroner. The following information reflects initial circumstances, not cause of death, as reported to the department by the Coroner’s Court of Western Australia. The circumstances of death in 2003-04 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 15 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of sudden infant death syndrome and co-sleeping; two drownings; two head injuries caused in motor vehicle accidents; one cardiac arrest; and one homicide, making 21 in total. The circumstances of death in 2004-05 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 25 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of SIDS and co-sleeping; four birth-related or acquired illnesses; two alleged homicides; two injuries arising from accidental circumstances; and one case of neglect, making 34 in total.
The circumstances of death in 2004-05 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 25 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of SIDS and co-sleeping; four birth-related or acquired illnesses; two alleged homicides; two injuries arising from accidental circumstances; and one case of neglect, making 34 in total.
(2) Of the 34 children aged one year or under who were known to DCD and who died in 2004-05, did the relevant DCD files record the cause of death for each child; and, if not, why not; and, if so, what was the cause of death for each of the children? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Community Development, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1)-(2) Information regarding the cause of death is not available until after a post mortem, and is released only by the coroner who makes a determination about the cause of death. Accurate information and child mortality data for children in WA need to be obtained via the Coroner’s Court of WA and the Department of Health WA. However, in late 2002 a statewide child death review process was established by the department. The Department for Community Development has a reciprocal agreement with the State Coroner that the department will receive information about child deaths that are reportable under the Coroners Act. These include deaths from non-natural causes and deaths for which the cause is not known. In cases in which there is the sudden or unexpected death of a child aged 18 years or under, the department receives a notification via the Coroner’s Court of WA. A search is then undertaken of the department’s records. In cases in which the child is the subject of an open contact with the department, the information is provided to the relevant district office. In cases in which the death of the child presents concerning circumstances, and there are other children in the family, the local district office will be requested to undertake an assessment of the safety of the siblings. All notifications are forwarded to the local DCD district office for the information of staff should the deceased child’s family seek assistance with the funeral or other support. The coroner’s notification details the initial circumstances of the child’s death. This information is placed on the child’s file, if there is an existing file. The cause of death is determined by the coroner. The following information reflects initial circumstances, not cause of death, as reported to the department by the Coroner’s Court of Western Australia. The circumstances of death in 2003-04 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 15 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of sudden infant death syndrome and co-sleeping; two drownings; two head injuries caused in motor vehicle accidents; one cardiac arrest; and one homicide, making 21 in total. The circumstances of death in 2004-05 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 25 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of SIDS and co-sleeping; four birth-related or acquired illnesses; two alleged homicides; two injuries arising from accidental circumstances; and one case of neglect, making 34 in total.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Community Development, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1)-(2) Information regarding the cause of death is not available until after a post mortem, and is released only by the coroner who makes a determination about the cause of death. Accurate information and child mortality data for children in WA need to be obtained via the Coroner’s Court of WA and the Department of Health WA. However, in late 2002 a statewide child death review process was established by the department. The Department for Community Development has a reciprocal agreement with the State Coroner that the department will receive information about child deaths that are reportable under the Coroners Act. These include deaths from non-natural causes and deaths for which the cause is not known. In cases in which there is the sudden or unexpected death of a child aged 18 years or under, the department receives a notification via the Coroner’s Court of WA. A search is then undertaken of the department’s records. In cases in which the child is the subject of an open contact with the department, the information is provided to the relevant district office. In cases in which the death of the child presents concerning circumstances, and there are other children in the family, the local district office will be requested to undertake an assessment of the safety of the siblings. All notifications are forwarded to the local DCD district office for the information of staff should the deceased child’s family seek assistance with the funeral or other support. The coroner’s notification details the initial circumstances of the child’s death. This information is placed on the child’s file, if there is an existing file. The cause of death is determined by the coroner. The following information reflects initial circumstances, not cause of death, as reported to the department by the Coroner’s Court of Western Australia. The circumstances of death in 2003-04 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 15 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of sudden infant death syndrome and co-sleeping; two drownings; two head injuries caused in motor vehicle accidents; one cardiac arrest; and one homicide, making 21 in total. The circumstances of death in 2004-05 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 25 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of SIDS and co-sleeping; four birth-related or acquired illnesses; two alleged homicides; two injuries arising from accidental circumstances; and one case of neglect, making 34 in total.
On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Community Development, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1)-(2) Information regarding the cause of death is not available until after a post mortem, and is released only by the coroner who makes a determination about the cause of death. Accurate information and child mortality data for children in WA need to be obtained via the Coroner’s Court of WA and the Department of Health WA. However, in late 2002 a statewide child death review process was established by the department. The Department for Community Development has a reciprocal agreement with the State Coroner that the department will receive information about child deaths that are reportable under the Coroners Act. These include deaths from non-natural causes and deaths for which the cause is not known. In cases in which there is the sudden or unexpected death of a child aged 18 years or under, the department receives a notification via the Coroner’s Court of WA. A search is then undertaken of the department’s records. In cases in which the child is the subject of an open contact with the department, the information is provided to the relevant district office. In cases in which the death of the child presents concerning circumstances, and there are other children in the family, the local district office will be requested to undertake an assessment of the safety of the siblings. All notifications are forwarded to the local DCD district office for the information of staff should the deceased child’s family seek assistance with the funeral or other support. The coroner’s notification details the initial circumstances of the child’s death. This information is placed on the child’s file, if there is an existing file. The cause of death is determined by the coroner. The following information reflects initial circumstances, not cause of death, as reported to the department by the Coroner’s Court of Western Australia. The circumstances of death in 2003-04 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 15 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of sudden infant death syndrome and co-sleeping; two drownings; two head injuries caused in motor vehicle accidents; one cardiac arrest; and one homicide, making 21 in total. The circumstances of death in 2004-05 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 25 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of SIDS and co-sleeping; four birth-related or acquired illnesses; two alleged homicides; two injuries arising from accidental circumstances; and one case of neglect, making 34 in total.
(1)-(2) Information regarding the cause of death is not available until after a post mortem, and is released only by the coroner who makes a determination about the cause of death. Accurate information and child mortality data for children in WA need to be obtained via the Coroner’s Court of WA and the Department of Health WA. However, in late 2002 a statewide child death review process was established by the department. The Department for Community Development has a reciprocal agreement with the State Coroner that the department will receive information about child deaths that are reportable under the Coroners Act. These include deaths from non-natural causes and deaths for which the cause is not known. In cases in which there is the sudden or unexpected death of a child aged 18 years or under, the department receives a notification via the Coroner’s Court of WA. A search is then undertaken of the department’s records. In cases in which the child is the subject of an open contact with the department, the information is provided to the relevant district office. In cases in which the death of the child presents concerning circumstances, and there are other children in the family, the local district office will be requested to undertake an assessment of the safety of the siblings. All notifications are forwarded to the local DCD district office for the information of staff should the deceased child’s family seek assistance with the funeral or other support. The coroner’s notification details the initial circumstances of the child’s death. This information is placed on the child’s file, if there is an existing file. The cause of death is determined by the coroner. The following information reflects initial circumstances, not cause of death, as reported to the department by the Coroner’s Court of Western Australia. The circumstances of death in 2003-04 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 15 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of sudden infant death syndrome and co-sleeping; two drownings; two head injuries caused in motor vehicle accidents; one cardiac arrest; and one homicide, making 21 in total. The circumstances of death in 2004-05 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 25 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of SIDS and co-sleeping; four birth-related or acquired illnesses; two alleged homicides; two injuries arising from accidental circumstances; and one case of neglect, making 34 in total.
The circumstances of death in 2004-05 for infants aged 12 months and under, as identified in the coroner’s notification to DCD, were: 25 sudden unexplained deaths of an infant, comprising cases of SIDS and co-sleeping; four birth-related or acquired illnesses; two alleged homicides; two injuries arising from accidental circumstances; and one case of neglect, making 34 in total.
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