11.25am
Emergency toxicologist detected liver abnormalities when patients first adm
Dr Mark Douglas is an emergency doctor at Monash Health who in 2023 was working as a toxicology registrar.
The jury heard that on the evening of July 30, 2023, Douglas was the on-call toxicologist and provided advice on both Don and Gail Patterson’s treatment during their time at Dandenong Hospital.
Gail and Don Patterson.
About 11.30pm, he got a phone call from Dr Beth Morgan at Dandenong Hospital asking for advice about Don’s condition and treatment, as she was admitting him to her unit from the emergency department.
Douglas said liver and blood tests for Don, whose condition was more serious than Gail’s upon arrival, showed abnormalities.
The jury heard that at the time, doctors were considering whether the lunch could be the cause of the symptoms.
Douglas called the lead toxicologist, who advised him that at this time there was not enough evidence of them having ingested death cap mushrooms. However, they spoke about starting Don on a liver protective medication.
“So at that point the specific antidote wasn’t indicated,” Douglas said.
The jury heard that about 1am on July 31, 2023, Douglas was informed by Gail’s treating doctor that subsequent blood tests had shown that her liver function was worsening. He advised Gail’s treating doctor to start her on some protective liver medication.
Douglas arrived at Dandenong Hospital later that day and examined Don, who was conscious at the time and confirmed that he had consumed a beef Wellington lunch.
“At that stage, I recall that ... we were still unsure about the exact mechanism, and there were several other kind of potential poisons that could have caused such an effect beyond just the mushroom. But the feeling was that we will start the treatment for the Amanita Phalloides [death cap mushrooms] while things are so undecided,” Douglas said.
Shortly after, Don was sedated and prepared for transport to the Austin Hospital.
Douglas said he then assessed Gail in the emergency department. She was awake and told Douglas that Don had eaten part of her meal during the lunch. Gail was later moved to intensive care and eventually taken to the Austin.
The jury heard that Ian and Heather Wilkinson were admitted to Dandenong Hospital, after being transported there from Leongatha, while Douglas was speaking to Gail.
Douglas said Ian reported being extremely nauseous.
“He looked quite ... very nauseated,” he said.
Douglas has concluded his evidence and been excused from the witness box.
Erin Patterson has pleaded not guilty to murdering three relatives by serving them a beef Wellington laced with death cap mushrooms. Follow our live coverage of the triple-murder trial here.
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