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02
Apr 2019
Ministers say coroners could investigate stillbirths
In a move to help bereaved parents to find answers, the government is consulting on coroners in England and Wales being given new powers to investigate stillbirths, so that each case can be independently assessed.
Every day in the UK, nine babies are stillborn. In many cases, doctors are unable to explain the reason for the death.
Coroners can currently only hold inquests for babies who have shown signs of life following birth, although when an apparently healthy pregnancy ends in stillbirth, the hospital will hold an investigation.
Jackie Doyle-Price, Health Minister, said “We want to do everything we can to make pregnancy safer, by continually learning to improve the care on offer so fewer people have to experience the terrible tragedy of losing a child and those who do get the answers and support they deserve.”
Edward Argar, Justice Minister, said Although we have robust processes in place at the moment to investigate stillbirths, we think we can go further and we should go further.
“The use of coroners to investigate them in an open and transparent way would not only help bring closure to families who have suffered this tragedy but would also help us to learn lessons for the future to help further reduce the number of stillbirths.”
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.
If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.
Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Freephone : 0800 304 738
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