§ Baroness Finlay of Llandaffasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any procedure is in place to ensure that each coroner works with the local community which he is appointed to serve; and [HL4212]
37WAWhat is the projected timetable to bring together the reports of the Fundamental Review of Death Certification and Coroner Services with the third report from the Shipman inquiry covering similar issues; and [HL4213]
What plans they have to implement changes following the Coroners' Officers Working Party Report; and [HL4214]
Whether consideration has been given to housing coroners' officers in their local hospital, rather than the police station, to enable close working relationships in line with the recommendations in the report, Families and Post Mortems—A code of practice. [HL4215]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalCoroners are appointed locally to serve a specific district in accordance with the provisions of coroner legislation. The location of coroners' officers within a coroner's district is a matter to be decided locally depending on need and practicality. I understand that in a number of coroners' districts, officers are already located at hospitals.
When the report on the provision of Coroners' Officers was published in August 2002, we made it clear that it would not be appropriate to seek to implement any changes to the existing arrangements for the provision of officers in advance of the outcome of the wider ranging reviews then in hand.
The Report of the Fundamental Review 2003—Death Certification and Investigation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland was published on 4 June. My honourable friend Paul Goggins announced that in order to assist the Government to develop a coherent long-term strategy for the future of our death investigation processes, the Home Secretary had asked the chair of the Review, Mr Tom Luce, to undertake some further work to link the review's recommendations to the relevant findings of the Shipman inquiry. I expect this work to be completed in the autumn and for decisions to be taken on our programme of reform as soon as possible thereafter. We are also keen to ensure that we improve how the needs of the bereaved are met in the mean time.