Tasmanian coroner orders inquiry into hospital patient death

A Tasmanian coroner has ordered an investigation into the 2020 death of 82-year-old Margaret Joyce Binns at Launceston General Hospital, overruling a bid by the Department of Health to block the probe.

Mrs. Binns died following a fall at her home that resulted in severe head injuries and a brain haemorrhage. While former LGH executive director of medical services Dr. Peter Renshaw certified the cause of death as an acute subarachnoid haemorrhage resulting from an aneurysm, medical reviews have raised questions. Dr. Anthony Bell noted that CT scans showed no evidence of a ruptured aneurysm or trauma as the cause of the haemorrhage, suggesting the bleed may have caused the fall rather than the other way around.

Coroner Leigh Mackey ruled that because it remains unclear whether the injuries were caused by traumatic impact or an underlying natural condition, the death remains unexplained and legally reportable. The decision follows a recommendation from a review panel to refer several LGH deaths involving certificates issued by Dr. Renshaw to the coroner.