In some circumstances, a doctor from the hospital may refer a death to His Majesty’s Coroner. You will be told by either the doctor making the referral or a member of the bereavement team if HM Coroner is involved. You will then receive a call from one of the Coroner’s officers to explain their role and discuss what happens next.
When a death has been referred to HM Coroner the hospital is unable to act until we have been informed of what action HM Coroner has decided to take.
HM Coroner is a judicial office holder who is independent from the hospital and local government.
When a death is reported to a Coroner, they:
- Firstly establish whether an investigation is required
- If yes, investigates to establish the identity of the person who has died; how, when, and where they died; and any information required to register the death
- Use information discovered during the investigation to assist in the prevention of other deaths where possible
You can find more information about the role of HM Coroner and answers to frequently asked questions on the government website.
HM Coroner for West Yorkshire (Eastern)
The Senior Coroner for West Yorkshire (Eastern) covering the Leeds and Wakefield districts is Kevin McLoughlin:
HM Coroners Office
71 Northgate
Wakefield
WF1 3BS
Tel: 01924 302 180
Fax: 01924 302 184
Email: [email protected]
Support when an Inquest is taking place
The Coroners’ Courts Support Service is a voluntary organisation which supports people who are attending an Inquest. They can be contacted via a helpline: 0300 111 2141 or by email: [email protected].
There is more information on the Coroners’ Courts Support Service website.