Onuma v The Coroner's Court Of South Australia

This appeal was brought by Dr Onuma against findings and recommendations of the Coroner's Court of South Australia, stemming from an inquest into the deaths of two women who died within months of each other after undergoing surgery performed by Dr Onuma. The appeal addressed various issues including the accuracy of the Coroner's findings, the competence of Dr Onuma, and procedural fairness during the inquest. The Court was tasked with determining whether the Coroner's findings were correct, whether certain findings and recommendations were beyond the Coroner's powers, and if Dr Onuma was afforded procedural fairness.

The Court considered several grounds for the appeal, including the accuracy of the cause of death of one of the women, the competence and qualifications of Dr Onuma, and the procedural fairness during the inquest. It was found that the cause of death of one woman was inaccurate and incomplete, and there was no evidence to support comments about Dr Onuma's competence and qualifications. The Court also ruled that there was no right of appeal from a recommendation made by the Coroner's Court, but Dr Onuma was afforded procedural fairness during the inquest. The appeal was allowed on several grounds, while others were dismissed.

The Court set aside certain findings and recommendations and substituted new findings regarding the cause of death. The appeal was allowed on grounds 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 11.3, while grounds 5, 8, 9, 10, 11.1, and 11.2 were dismissed. The Court made an order to set aside the finding of cause of death and substituted a new finding that Mrs Hillman died as a result of multiple complications, culminating in an hypoxic ischaemic brain injury. The Court also set aside comments regarding Dr Onuma's competence and qualifications.