Office of Chief Coroner

The BBC Radio 4 'File on Four' documentary entitled 'Coroners under scrutiny' (15th Nov) highlights just some of the problems with the current coroner's system.

Royal College of Pathologists calls on Government to reinstate the Office of Chief Coroner

There are unjustifiable idiosyncrasies and failings of the current system, where coroners (and pathologists who work for them) have little or no effective audit or scrutiny.

The Office of Chief Coroner was created by the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, with cross-party support. It was a much needed response to a multitude of problems in the current coronial system.

 Despite this, the Government plans to abolish the post even before it has been filled.

The Royal College of Pathologists are calling on the Government to reinstate the Office of Chief Coroner, as set out in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.

 Professor Furness of the Royal College of Pathologists said: "There was a high level of agreement in 2009 that reform of the coronial system is long overdue…"  Please click here for the rest of the statement.