The Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund ( MKMRF) welcomes the Government’s inclusion of the Coroners and Justice Bill in today’s Queen Speech, and the much needed reforms to the current coroners system that it will bring about.
As an organization that works to represent people with the asbestos related lung cancer, mesothelioma and their families in conjunction with the British Lung Foundation has become aware of the flaws in the coroners system, and the needless distress that it can cause to already grieving families.
When someone dies from mesothelioma it is classified as ‘an unnatural death’ and it is therefore required that a coroner carries out an inquiry. If the death occurs outside of the coroner’s working day (i.e. on evenings and weekends) the police have to start the investigation immediately. This can lead to the bereaved relatives receiving visits from uniformed police, in marked cars, sometimes in the middle of the night. This is highly distressing, and can lead to relatives feeling that they are under suspicion.
The Coroners and Justice Bill will allow the creation of national standards which should end such practices and will help to ensure these procedures are made more sensitive to the needs of bereaved families. This will be underlined by the proposed Charter for the Bereaved which will accompany the bill, and specifically calls for the creation of national standards on Mesothelioma deaths. Coroners will also have better medical support and advice, including the appointment of a Chief Medical Adviser who will give advice on specialist medical issues such as mesothelioma.
Michael Clapham MP who has supported the British Lung Foundation’s campaign said, “There is an urgent need for a new Coroners and Justice Act. This would provide an opportunity to improve and ensure consistency in dealing with mesothelioma deaths across the entire UK. “The system needs to be more friendly and considerate to the grieving process when a mesothelioma death occurs.”
Chris Knighton Founder of the MKMRF said “The current coroners system can cause unnecessary distress to people already going through a very difficult time in their lives.
“We are extremely happy that the Coroners Bill will now be brought forward to help end these practices, and we look forward to working with the Government to improve coroner’s procedures”.
The British Lung Foundation has been campaigning on this issue since 2006, and has gathered a considerable amount of popular and political support. A recent Early Day Motion tabled by Michael Clapham MP has been signed by 116 MPs.
