Government launches consultation on new powers for coroners to investigate stillbirths

The Government has launched a consultation on proposals to give coroners the power to investigate all full-term stillbirths, which could help provide parents with vital information on what went wrong and why, while ensuring any mistakes are identified to prevent future deaths.

The joint consultation from the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Health and Social Care seeks a wide range of views, from bereaved parents, the organisations that support them or that provide advice to pregnant women, researchers, health professionals and healthcare providers, as well as those working for coronial services.

The consultation will run for 12 weeks, closing on 18 June, 2019 and can be found here.