Inquest hearing to travel

NORTHERN Coroner Nerida Wilson will examine the adequacy of care provided to three Indigenous women who died of rheumatic heart disease or its consequences.

At a pre-inquest hearing in Cairns on Friday, the Cairns Coroner’s Court heard the coronial inquest into the deaths of Yvette “Betty” Booth, 18, Adele “Sandy” Diamond, 37, and Shakaya George, 17, will travel to Doomadgee in July so family members can give evidence.

The issues to be considered by Ms Wilson will include the findings as to when, where and how the women died and what caused their deaths; the adequacy of primary health services provided by Gidgee Healing at Doomadgee in providing treatment, education and follow-up to the women regarding their RHD diagnosis; and the adequacy of care by Doomadgee Hospital in the six months prior to their deaths.

Ms Wilson will also consider whether there was a delay transferring Ms George to the Queensland Children’s Hospital for surgical intervention, and if so, why.

She will also examine the adequacy of care provided to Ms George by Queensland Children’s Hospital from July 28 to September 12, 2020, and the adequacy of screening for RHD and the public health education and follow-up in the community.