Chambers’ Head of Chambers, Anthony Metzer QC, is representing the McGowan family at their son’s inquest, which started on Monday 16th April 2018 at the Avon Coroner’s Court.
Oliver McGowan was 18 years old when he was admitted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol on 22nd October 2016 after having a seizure, which did not subside when his medicine was administered. Oliver suffered from epilepsy and mild autism.
The inquest has heard that Oliver’s family had expressly forbidden the administration of anti-psychotic medication when he was admitted in October 2016 as Oliver had reacted badly to these in the past. Oliver’s father, Tom McGowan, told the inquest on Monday that, despite their warnings, doctors had prescribed Olanzapine to Oliver on 25th October, an antipsychotic medication used to treat Schizophrenia and Bipolar-disorder. Oliver died on 11th November 2016 after doctors terminated his treatment and transferred him into palliative care.
The inquest is due to finish on Thursday 19th April. The inquest has also attracted media coverage: in the Guardian on 16th April as well as the Bristol Post on 16th April and 17th April. Mr and Mrs McGowan have also appeared on the BBC Breakfast show on Thursday 12th April 2018 and the BBC News website have published articles on 16th April and 17th April.
