The Coroner for the City of Liverpool Mr Andre Rebello has today concluded his inquest into the death of Luke Winston-Jones with a verdict of death due to natural causes.
"Luke died on 12th November 2004 at Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool, aged 10 ½ months. The coroner has found that the cause of Luke's death was cardiac failure as a result of congenital heart disease linked to Luke's underlying condition of Edwards Syndrome (Trisomy 18)," said health lawyer Muiris Lyons who acts for Luke's mother Ruth Winston-Jones.
He commented, "the function of the Coroner's Court is to establish:
- Who died;
- Where they died;
- When they died;
- How they died.
As a result, inquests are by their very nature limited in their scope. It is a matter for the discretion of individual coroners as to how far they consider the circumstances leading up to a death and what evidence they call at the inquest.
Luke's mother Ruth understands the medical cause of Luke's death. However, she remains very concerned about the events leading up to his death and the availability or otherwise of appropriate forms of treatment including vital resuscitative equipment and the drug adrenaline.
Ruth continues to believe that more could and should have been done to save Luke's life.
In the light of the coroner's findings Ruth will now consider what further steps she wishes to take in an effort to ensure that the circumstances leading up to Luke's death are fully investigated.
Ruth would like to thank the coroner Mr Rebello for his kind words regarding Luke's 'exceptional life' and for seeing Luke as the person he was and for the sympathetic way in which he has managed the inquest process."
BackRelated news stories
- 01/03/2006: Right to life case - baby may have life-sustaining treatment withdrawn
- 27/02/2006: Girl given life-sustaining treatment after medical experts recommend treatment
- 31/03/2005: Luke Winston-Jones Inquest - Update
- 17/02/2005: Luke Winston-Jones - Inquest postponed
- 07/01/2005: Luke Winston-Jones - pre-inquest hearing at Coroners Court
- 16/11/2004: Luke Winston-Jones Inquest opened today
- 22/10/2004: High Court decision on Luke's future treatment
- 20/10/2004: Support for Luke
- 13/10/2004: Luke Winston-Jones case could go to court
- 13/10/2004: Press Comment - Luke Winston Jones
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