Inquest resumes over death of woman who refused food and drink

Margaret Page with husband Barry Page. Photo / Supplied via TVNZ

The daughter of a woman who died after refusing food and drink for more than two weeks said her mother had reached the point where "she felt she'd had enough".

Margaret Page died at a rest home in Wellington in 2010 after refusing food and drink for 16 days, and her death sparked widespread debate around euthanasia.

The inquest into Mrs Page's death began in 2013 before Coroner Ian Smith, who died before he issued his findings.

The inquest continued today before Coroner Deborah Marshall in Wellington, after Mrs Page's husband and daughter indicated they wanted to give further evidence.

Mrs Page suffered a cerebral haemorrhage 20 years prior to her death which left her disabled, and she often told her family she no longer wanted to live.

The 60-year-old was living in her family home and was cared for by her husband Barry Page until 2006, when she was moved into residential care at Wellington's Madison House, later named St John of God.

Mr Page, who was against Mrs Page's decision to stop eating, was first to give evidence this morning.

He said a frustration towards the care at Madison House contributed to Mrs Page's decision.

Mr Page also told the court that he was prevented one-on-one access to Mrs Page while she was at the rest home.

He said had he been allowed one-on-one access to Mrs Page "we could have changed her mind, as I had done in the past".

Mrs Page had previously attempted starvation in October 2011.

However, Mrs Page's daughter Jacinda Foote disputed this, and told the court Mr Page was "most definitely" allowed one-on-one access to Mrs Page.

Ms Foote read an emotional statement to the court today.

She said it was her mother's "love of life and inner strength that defined the person she was.

"Mum was the life of the party, everyone loved mum, and mum loved life."

She explained how her mother was active, and loved scuba diving, camping, tramping cycling, canoeing, karate and sailing.

Ms Foote said when her mother suffered from a brain haemorrhage in 1996, "mum's life ceased as she knew it".

"From that moment on our lives changed forever."

Following this, Mrs Page was confined to a wheelchair and needed around the clock care.

Ms Foote said Mr Page took care of her mother, but when he started a romantic relationship with a family friend her mother's behaviour became "more challenging".

When they found Mrs Page unconscious in 2006 after falling from her wheelchair, the decision was made to put her into full time care.

Ms Foote said she believed it was her mother's total loss of control that lead her to make the decision to end her own life.

"Mum decided starvation was the only option left to her to end her life."

"As the days went by it became apparent that mum was determined not to eat or drink."

"Sadly mum had just reached a point where she felt she'd had enough, she had been severely disabled and confined to a wheelchair for 19 years, she didn't want another 20 years in the same situation."

Ms Foote said she believed the staff at the rest home had offered her mother the best care possible.

"I only have praise for mum's care in the last few weeks."

Coroner Marshall reserved her findings.