Sullivan
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Sullivan told the Royal Commission that more than 30 years ago he was involved as a legal professional in a coronial inquest into the death of a toddler with Down syndrome. Now retired, Sullivan says this case 'still haunts' him.
Sullivan said that the ‘well cared for and much loved child’ was described in the medical notes as a ‘social problem’.
He said the doctor ordered that no intubation be provided, resulting in the child’s subsequent death from whooping cough.
‘The distraught foster mother took to imploring parents outside the Emergency Department to ensure their children were properly cared for,’ he said.
‘The coroner’s finding was a whitewash.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.