Coronial Inquest Announced for 10-Year-Old Symerien Brooking's Death

A coronial inquest will investigate the tragic death of 10-year-old Symerien Brooking, who passed away at Perth Children’s Hospital in August 2024, after her mother, Sharyn Morris, raised concerns regarding the medical treatment her daughter received. The inquest, yet to be scheduled, aims to address the delays in providing critical care that may have contributed to the fatal outcome. Symerien, affectionately known as Symmie, suffered from severe health complications due to a rare congenital disease and had previously presented with seizure activity at the hospital.

According to Sharyn Morris, she repeatedly requested a CT scan for her daughter upon their arrival at the hospital, where Symmie had been unresponsive. Despite her pleas, a brain scan was only conducted seven hours later, revealing significant bleeding that ultimately proved fatal. "I need answers. I need to know why my child’s life was taken unnecessarily," Morris stated, emphasizing her desire for accountability and systemic change in the healthcare practices concerning children.

The Western Australia Coroner's Office confirmed that an inquest will take place, as conveyed by a government spokesperson. Health Minister Meredith Hammat acknowledged the tragedy of losing a young life and the profound impact it has on families and communities.

Community advocate Suresh Rajan, who has supported other families in similar situations, highlighted a recurring issue in the WA health system—medical professionals often failing to heed the concerns of caregivers. Rajan stated, "If you look at all of the cases that we’ve had in the last few years, all of them boil down to one thing — that the medical professional is not listening to either the caregiver or the patient as to what is required."

This sentiment resonates with Morris, who hopes the inquest will not only provide answers regarding Symmie’s case but also instigate cultural changes within the healthcare system to ensure that caregivers are heard. The inquest into Symmie’s death follows other tragic incidents at Perth Children’s Hospital, including the cases of Aishwarya Aswath in 2021 and Sandipan Dhar in March 2023, which have similarly sparked calls for reform in medical practices.

As the community awaits further developments regarding the inquest date, the implications of this case extend beyond the Brooking family, calling for a reevaluation of how medical concerns are addressed in pediatric care. The inquest is expected to shed light on systemic issues and potentially lead to improvements in the treatment and care of vulnerable patients in the future.