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Coroners Court New South Wales
Request for Inquest into Unreported death
The Coroner may assume jurisdiction and investigate in some cases where the death has not been reported by NSW Police.
If you have concerns about the circumstances of the death of a loved one it may be appropriate to discuss these concerns in the first instance with NSW Police to determine whether investigation is required, or whether they consider the death should be reported to the Coroner.
Please read the following information carefully before making any application to the Court.
Concerns can also arise in relation to the care and treatment received from aged and/or health care providers. Some common concerns can include:
My loved one was prescribed or administered the wrong medication / the wrong dose of medication.
Administration of medication will fall within the coronial scope if the medication caused or contributed to the death. If the administration of medication did not contribute to the death, but you are concerned about the medication prescribed to your loved one, you should talk with the doctor or health service directly. If you are uncomfortable doing this, or if you are not satisfied with their response, you can contact the Health Care Complaints Commission or the NSW Health Professional Councils Authority
I did not like the way the medical staff spoke to me.
While the medical treatment provided by a doctor may be the subject of a coronial investigation, their manner does not fall within the coronial scope. If you are concerned about a doctor’s behaviour, you should talk about your concern with the doctor or health service directly. If you are uncomfortable doing this, or if you are not satisfied with their response, you can contact the Health Care Complaints Commission.
The medical staff did not listen to my concerns.
This will generally not fall within the coronial scope unless it contributed to the death of your loved one. If you are not satisfied with the response provided by the doctor or health service to your concerns, you can contact the Health Care Complaints Commission.
The carers did not provide a high level of care to my loved one.
If the care provided caused or contributed to the death of your loved one, it will be considered within the scope of the coronial investigation. In cases where the care provided did not contribute to the death of your loved one, you should discuss you concerns with the health service provider, residential aged care facility or disability service directly. If you are not satisfied with their response, you can lodge a complaint with the Health Complaints Commission, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission or the Ageing and Disability Commission.
If your concerns fit within the coronial scope, please complete the Request for Coroner to Assume Jurisdiction Form (PDF, 199.1 KB) and email to Lidcombe.Coroners@justice.nsw.gov.au Please feel free to contact the Coroner’s Court if you want to discuss whether your particular concerns fit within the coronial scope.
If your concerns do not fit within the coronial scope, then it may be that another organisation is better placed to respond to your concerns. Depending on your concerns, you may consider contacting the following organisations.
AGED CARE
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
Ph. 1800 951 822
https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/
The national regulator of aged care services in Australia, assisting with concerns and complaints about a service provider including health care, personal care assistance, living environment and communication.
Ageing and Disability Commission
General Enquiries Ph. (02) 4904 7500
NSW Elder Abuse Helpline Ph. 1800 628 221
https://ageingdisabilitycommission.nsw.gov.au/
An independent agency of the NSW Government, receiving and responding to reports or allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation of an older person or adult with a disability, focusing on conduct of the person’s family and other informal supports, or members known to them from the community. This does not include investigation of conduct of paid service providers.
HEALTH AND MEDICAL
NSW Health Care Complaints Commission
Ph. 1800 043 159 or (02) 9219 7444
Email: hccc@hccc.nsw.gov.au
An independent commission that deals with complaints about health service providers in NSW, including health organisations such as hospitals, registered health practitioners including medical practitioners, nurses and dental practitioners, and non-registered health practitioners including alternative health care providers, naturopaths and massage therapists.
NSW Health Professional Councils Authority
Ph. 1300 197 177
Email: HPCA-mail@health.nsw.gov.au
Homepage link here
In partnership with HCCC and 15 health professional councils in NSW, NSWHPCA manage complaints about the clinical care and treatment, professional behaviour or health of a registered health practitioner in NSW.
OMBUDSMAN NSW
Ph. 1800 451 524
Handling complaints about NSW Government agencies, local councils and community service providers run or funded by government, including Ambulance Service of NSW, public hospitals, Health Care Complaints Commission.
Last updated:
03 Mar 2025
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