Inquest into the death of Mootijah Douglas Andrew Shillingsworth

Case Number: 2018/54603

Date of Findings: 22 July 2022

Magistrate: Deputy State Coroner, Magistrate Joan Baptie

Catchwords: CORONIAL LAW – Death in custody; Death of ATSI man; prevalence of ear disease in ATSI community and prison population; availability of health screening for ATSI prison population, particularly for ear disease; inclusion of ear disease on Chronic Health Screen; partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations; access to Medicare for Aboriginal inmates in custody

Responses

Recommendations

To the Chief Executive Officer, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network ("JHFMHN"), and the Minister for Health (being the Minister responsible for JHFMHN):

1. The Chief Executive Officer of JHFMHN and Minister for Health review the findings in this inquest and the evidence of Dr Gary Nicholls as to proposed reforms to JHFMHN's practices and procedures regarding ear disease and hearing difficulties as outlined in his written statements dated 25 February and 29 March 2022. 
2. Priority be given by JHFMHN to determining and finalising the changes proposed to JHFMHN's practices and procedures and arrangements necessary to fund these initiatives.

To the Chief Executive Officer, JHFMHN:

1. That JHFMHN should continue to explore and promote partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to support the provision of culturally safe primary health care to Aboriginal patients and, in this context, should explore options for developing funding models that enable partnerships of this kind to be developed and sustained in the long term. 
2. That JHFMHN should continue its work advocating for a trial for access to Medicare for Aboriginal inmates. In this context, JHFMHN should consider liaising with its equivalent or counterpart bodies in other States to coordinate and advocate for a trial process involving Medicare being made available by the Commonwealth to Aboriginal inmates.