A coroner’s review into the death of aged care resident Norma Palmer at Regis Birkdale, 25km east of Brisbane, has found the doctor who treated her has no case to answer for.
The Coroner found that Regis staff provided care to Ms Palmer which was “consistent with the General Practitioner’s advice” and their wound care management plan.
The Coroner also noted that Ms Palmer entered the Regis home with the leg wound.
“Our staff held concerns about the resident’s wound care and raised those concerns with the GP on multiple occasions,” a Regis statement read.
“While our staff followed the GP’s directions, we acknowledge that there were missed opportunities for direct escalation to specialist wound management services.”
Ms Palmer died in July of 2020 after being rushed to hospital when the wound in her leg rotted and exposed her ankle bone.
Regis said in a statement the tragic death has prompted them to revise its clinical procedures.
‘With a focus on wound care training for our staff and direct escalation requirements to independent health practitioners and wound care specialists as required,’ the statement read.
