Youth given 'appropriate' health care prior to death

A teenage boy who took his own life received mainly appropriate mental health care care before his death, a coroner has found.

Joshua William Klumper, 17, died on September 16, 2017 at Gold Coast University Hospital as a result of self-inflicted injuries he had suffered 11 days prior.

Joshua had been diagnosed between the ages of seven and nine with depression, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, oppositional defiance disorder and autism spectrum disorder.

Queensland Deputy State Coroner Stephanie Gallagher on Thursday handed down her findings following an inquest into Joshua's death and his treatment while in mental health and emergency room care.

About a month before his death, Joshua had quit his heavy use of cannabis as it had threatened his ability to work as an apprentice painter.

During his medically assisted detox period, Joshua had attended hospital with complaints of having "crazy" thoughts and feeling depressed.

Ms Gallagher found it was appropriate for Queensland Health's Child and Youth Mental Health Services to close their file on Joshua in February 2017 as he was moving to private care.

However, Ms Gallagher accepted a submission from Joshua's family that youth mental health services did not prepare a formal transfer of care plan to provide additional information to his private carers.

The inquest noted that Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service had completed a review after Joshua's death and did not identify any root causes or contributory factors.

The review, which included an interview with Joshua's family, did identify opportunities for improvement around mental health engagement with children and their families and how staff could intervene in a crisis.

The health service is also reviewing its emergency department environment to provide spaces for people with sensory overload, which is a common symptom of autism spectrum disorder.

Ms Gallagher found there were "no appropriate comments or recommendations" she could make given the review and improvement steps taken by the health service.

Lifeline 13 11 14

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)

beyondblue 1300 22 4636

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store