years but a more chronic depressed mood having existed over the previous nine months. Reference is also made to Mr Noakes’ own description of himself as being “an with a lack of interest in activities and with frequent tearful episodes emotional wreck” of the order of twenty times per day. There is reduced appetite noted, as well as feelings of guilt. It was recorded that Mr Noakes said that he regularly experienced suicidal ideation but reported that he was able to effectively distract himself from those thoughts. Mr Noakes was prescribed Reboxetine and a continuation of Olanzapine. He was referred to the Rural and Remote/Riverland Mental Health Team for ongoing monitoring of his mental state. It was Dr Taylor’s diagnosis that would ultimately be brought into question in the 24 hour period prior to Mr Noakes’ death. However, I observe that in the comprehensive note of Dr Taylor she has recorded that she discussed Mr Noakes’ case with a psychiatrist Dr Toh who agreed with the trial of Reboxetine. In a letter to Dr Baker, Dr Taylor had also emphasised that the case had been extensively discussed with the Northern ACIS consultant psychiatrist. The diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, having regard to the supporting evidence that is meticulously recorded in Dr Taylor’s notes, is one that would have been difficult to resist. The episode of June 2008 and the consequent diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, recorded as it was within the Department of Health CBIS computerised clinical record, was available in 2013 to clinicians during Mr Noakes’ period of detention in the LMH prior to his death. Dr Baker saw Mr Noakes on occasions in 2009 and 2010. A mental health plan was drawn up and there was a referral to a psychologist. Mr Noakes attended the psychologist on one occasion but failed to attend on a second occasion. On 12 April 2010 Mr Noakes was brought into Dr Baker’s practice by Ms Wyatt. In the preceding period Mr Noakes had apparently been doing reasonably well and was working again following the knee reconstruction. However, it was clear that underlying his apparent improvement was his renewed use of amphetamines. Dr Baker established that when Mr Noakes had resumed driving trucks he had stopped taking Olanzapine because it was effecting his ability to drive. Instead, he was now reliant on amphetamines to assist with that work. This was complicated by the fact that he was spending a lot of money in support of that habit.
years but a more chronic depressed mood having existed over the previous nine months. Reference is also made to Mr Noakes’ own description of himself as being “an emotional wreck” with a lack of interest in activities and with frequent tearful episodes of the order of twenty times per day. There is reduced appetite noted, as well as feelings of guilt. It was recorded that Mr Noakes said that he regularly experienced suicidal ideation but reported that he was able to effectively distract himself from those thoughts. Mr Noakes was prescribed Reboxetine and a continuation of Olanzapine. He was referred to the Rural and Remote/Riverland Mental Health Team for ongoing monitoring of his mental state. It was Dr Taylor’s diagnosis that would ultimately be brought into question in the 24 hour period prior to Mr Noakes’ death. However, I observe that in the comprehensive note of Dr Taylor she has recorded that she discussed Mr Noakes’ case with a psychiatrist Dr Toh who agreed with the trial of Reboxetine. In a letter to Dr Baker, Dr Taylor had also emphasised that the case had been extensively discussed with the Northern ACIS consultant psychiatrist. The diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, having regard to the supporting evidence that is meticulously recorded in Dr Taylor’s notes, is one that would have been difficult to resist. The episode of June 2008 and the consequent diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, recorded as it was within the Department of Health CBIS computerised clinical record, was available in 2013 to clinicians during Mr Noakes’ period of detention in the LMH prior to his death. Dr Baker saw Mr Noakes on occasions in 2009 and 2010. A mental health plan was drawn up and there was a referral to a psychologist. Mr Noakes attended the psychologist on one occasion but failed to attend on a second occasion. On 12 April 2010 Mr Noakes was brought into Dr Baker’s practice by Ms Wyatt. In the preceding period Mr Noakes had apparently been doing reasonably well and was working again following the knee reconstruction. However, it was clear that underlying his apparent improvement was his renewed use of amphetamines. Dr Baker established that when Mr Noakes had resumed driving trucks he had stopped taking Olanzapine because it was effecting his ability to drive. Instead, he was now reliant on amphetamines to assist with that work. This was complicated by the fact that he was spending a lot of money in support of that habit.