The Victorian Government has introduced a new system for dealing with multiple child deaths in one family. The legislation came into effect on 1 January 2005. The intention of the legislation is to ensure that Victorian systems and processes are capable of dealing effectively and humanely with all cases of multiple child deaths within a family.

A “reviewable death” is the second or subsequent death of a child of a parent.

Health professionals and police must report a reviewable death to the State Coroner. Notification of the State Coroner does not imply that the death of a child is suspicious or avoidable.  All families who have experienced the loss of more than one child, regardless of the circumstances, will have contact with the Coroner's process.

The death of a child is perhaps the most devastating event a family may endure.  This grief is compounded when a family experiences the death of more than one child.  The State Coroner's Office has experienced staff who can explain the coronial process and provide assistance with short term counselling.  The phone number for Coronial Services reception is 9684 4444, or the Counselling Services can be contacted directly on 9684 4395.

The Coroners Act 1985 empowers the State Coroner to investigate the second death of a child in a family to determine, if possible, the identity of the deceased, how the death occurred and the cause of death.  The State Coroner has the same powers of investigation in relation to a reviewable death as he has in relation to a reportable death (ie a death that is unexpected, unnatural or violent or has resulted from injury: see section 3 of the Coroners Act 1985).

The State Coroner may refer a reviewable death to the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (“VIFM”) for investigation.  The primary focus of the investigation is to assess and make recommendations regarding the health of parents and the health and safety of siblings.  The aim of the process is to ensure a coordinated delivery of support services to a family.

VIFM has appointed a Paediatric Liaison Coordinator, Ms Natalie Morgan, to carry out the investigation and assessment of the needs of a family.  The Paediatric Liaison Coordinator will speak to a family who has experienced the death of more than one child to explain the investigation and assessment process and to ask about the family's support needs.  As part of the investigation process, the coordinator may speak with the family's treating doctor.  Families are invited to nominate a doctor they would prefer to be contacted.

The Paediatric Liaison Coordinator is contactable during business hours by telephone on 9684 4444.

Any personal information collected by the State Coroner's Office during the investigation into a reviewable death forms part of the Coroner's file.  At the conclusion of an investigation a Coroner's file becomes a public record and open to public access.  However, any information provided to a coroner about a child or person other than the deceased child during a reviewable death investigation, must be excluded from the public record of that investigation except in the circumstances of an inquest in relation to the deceased child.  Furthermore, the State Coroner's Office has advised that it will close all reviewable death files (including those which are also reportable deaths, but not those which are subject to an inquest).  The provision of information on a closed file to any person who applies in writing, is at the discretion of the State Coroner.  Where an inquest is held, a decision to close a file will be made by the coroner conducting the inquest.

The Paediatric Liaison Coordinator is able to collect, use and disclose personal information and health information for the purposes of a reviewable death investigation, the assessment of family's needs and for the recommended responses to that investigation.  This information will be about the deceased child and other family members.  VIFM has a comprehensive privacy policy and treats all personal information, including health information, with strict confidentiality.  A copy of this policy can be found at the link below.

 The Report into the System for Dealing with Multiple Child Deaths 
 This is also available at www.dpc.vic.gov.au under Publications

 The Death Notification Legislation (Amendment) Act 2004 and the  Coroners Act 1985.
Also available at www.parliament.vic.gov.au under Legislation and Bills

The Second Reading Speech for the Death Notification Legislation (Amendment) Act 2004
Also available at www.parliament.vic.gov.au  under Hansard.

 VIFM Privacy Policy