Maurice Blackburn

Medical negligence law firm Maurice Blackburn has written to the office of the Queensland Coroner requesting an investigation and inquest into the death of Joshua Plumb, a seven- year-old boy with cerebral palsy. 

Joshua died within 24 hours of being admitted to Ipswich Hospital for management of a bowel complaint on 15 December, 2010. He had very high care needs, could make staff aware if he was in distress, but could not press a button to call for help.

Joshua was well known to hospital staff.  His mother Miranda stayed with him until around 8pm, the evening he was admitted to hospital. He was found unconscious and not breathing in his bed on the paediatric ward after 11pm.

Maurice Blackburn medical negligence lawyer Vicki Holmes alleged that Joshua was not properly monitored that evening and was put at risk by being placed in a room away from the nursing station.

"It is apparent from the medical records that Joshua was not regularly observed that evening," said Ms Holmes.  The entry in his clinical records was at 2000 hours on the night of his death and the record states 'Awake, settled, watching TV'.

The next recorded entry is timed at 2320 hours (over 3 hours later) when according to the medical records Joshua was found by a nurse 'unconscious, wedged between bed and wall'.

An autopsy recorded the cause of death as 'undetermined" but listed three possibilities - aspiration of fluid into the lungs, epilepsy or positional asphyxia/neck compression.

His mother Miranda Plumb said she wanted some answers about what happened that night.

"When you admit your child to hospital, you expect them to be safe - not die within three hours of being left in the hospital's care," Ms Plumb said

"I was exhausted after waiting in emergency for most of the day; Joshua was happy and settled when I left him. I needed to go home to my younger son. I would never have left Joshua if I felt he was in any danger.

"I cared for him for seven and a half years and always managed to keep him safe, I trusted the hospital to do the same for one night."