Inquest to examine 2019 death of premature baby Daniel Thomas Wright in Queensland

The baby died in 2019, 11 days after his parents brought him home. (Pixabay: SeppH/File)

A coronial inquest will investigate the death of a premature baby and the care he received after he was found dead in his cot in North Queensland more than four years ago.

Daniel Thomas Wright died in early 2019, 11 days after his parents brought him home.

The eight-month-old spent most of his short life at Townsville University Hospital and Mackay Base Hospital.

A pre-inquest hearing at the Coroners Court in Cairns today heard Daniel was born at 24 weeks' gestation on July 28, 2018, after a "complicated pregnancy".

Counsel assisting Claire Grant said the baby was given immediate care at Townsville University Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit, where he remained until February 6.

He was then transferred to the Mackay Base Hospital at the request of his parents, in order to be closer to their hometown of Bowen.

The baby boy was cared for at the Townsville University Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit. (ABC North Queensland: Jade Toomey)

Ms Grant said the baby boy was discharged on March 19, but was found dead in his cot 11 days later, while both parents were at home.

"There are nine issues to be explored by this inquest, and they are the clinical condition of – and the care required by – Daniel as of the sixth of February, 2019," Ms Grant told the court.

"Whether the discharge of Daniel from the Townsville University Hospital to the Mackay hospital was appropriate given the clinical condition and care he required, whether the discharge of Daniel from the Mackay Hospital to the care of his parents was appropriate."

Daniel Wright was transferred to Mackay Base Hospital at the request of his parents, so they could be closer to their hometown of Bowen. (Facebook: Mackay Hospital and Health Service)

The court heard the inquest would also examine the "appropriateness" of the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs' decision for the child to remain in the care of his parents following his release from Mackay Base Hospital.

It will also look at the "appropriateness" of the department's responses on various dates throughout March.

Coroner Stephanie Gallagher will also examine whether any preventative changes to procedures or policies could reduce the likelihood of deaths occurring in similar circumstances.

A second pre-inquest hearing will be held on a date yet to be set.

The inquest is expected to begin in Bowen in February.