Agenda item

(To receive a report from Paul Smith, His Majesty’s Senior Coroner for Lincolnshire, which invites the Committee to note the progress and performance of the Service)

SITTING AS THE PUBLIC PROTECTION AND COMMUNITIES SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Consideration was given to a report from Paul Smith, His Majesty’s Senior Coroner for Lincolnshire, which provided an annual overview of the Lincolnshire Coronial Service, and advising of the successes and challenges of the past year as well as future plans.

The Chairman invited Paul Smith, His Majesty’s Senior Coroner for Lincolnshire to present the report.

The Executive Councillor for NHS Liaison, Integrated Care System, Registration and Coroners expressed her delight that Mr Paul Smith had been successful in becoming the Senior Coroner for Lincolnshire.

It was reported that 2022 had been a busy year for the service, full details of the Coroners Statistics for 2022 were detailed at paragraph 1.5 of the report presented.

Some of the statistical information highlighted included: referrals had increased by 85% to a figure of 3,229; post mortem examinations had increased by 8%; the number of inquests completed had increased by 17% year on year 2022 against 2021; that at the end of June 2023 this year quarter 2 a further 299 inquests had been completed, an increase of 14% on the figures recorded in the previous year; that timeliness to inquest remained above average at 37 weeks.

The Committee was advised that the reasons for the improvements had been as a result of the commitment of everyone in the team, and to the current structure of the service which was now thought to be correct. Significant credit was extended to James Chappell as Head of Service in bringing about the improvements to the service. 

In conclusion, the Committee noted that the issue of premises remained unresolved, but it was hoped this would be resolved in the near future; that later in the summer there would be an open competition for a second full time coroner and an area coroner.  It was hoped with a full complement of coroners, further progress would be made. Reference was also made to the consultation concerning the merger of Coronial Services.

During consideration of this item, some of the following comments were noted:

·       The need to bring postmortem services back into Lincolnshire, as this was upsetting for families not knowing where their decreased relatives were at times.  The Committee noted that postmortems currently were carried out at Hull, Leicester and Peterborough, as there was unfortunately a national shortage of pathologists. His Majesty’s Senior Coroner for Lincolnshire Support was also supportive for this to happen; 

·       In response to a question regarding the possibility of increasing the number of days assistant coroners sitting to help deal with the backlog. The Committee was advised that reference to the assistant coroners sitting approximately 20 days was a baseline figure, as all of them had other roles, and all of them gave time when they could.  The Committee was advised further that it was not just simply getting the assistant coroners in, it was also a question of getting files prepared and having sufficient court rooms to hold cases in. It was highlighted that based on the figures from the first six months of the current year, it was apparent that the service was making significant progress in reducing the backlog;

·       For clarification purposes, the Committee received a legal definition of what was classed as an accident and a misadventure;

·       The Committee noted that the Area Coroner pack was due to be launched at the start of August, followed by interviews towards the end of September, then, once a decision had been made, this would need to be verified by the Chief Coroner and the Lord Chancellor’s Department.  It was expected that the successful applicant would then join the service in early January 2024;

·       It was noted that train accidents within the county would be suicides, rather than accidents;

·       One member enquired as to why there had been an increase in the number of deaths by accident or misadventure.  The Committee was advised that there was no known reason, however, it was speculated that as the figure for death from natural causes was now lower than the national average, it was felt that the answer could relate to the more elderly population, who when they passed, often died because of a number of factors.  For instance, often a fall and broken bone was a factor, and that the personnel hearing of those cases making particular reference to the fracture of the bone, rather than the underlying medical conditions; and

·       In response to a question regarding the increasing number of suicides, it was reported that the rationale was not known, as the service only provided data to the appropriate agencies with a view for the enabling services to then reduce the number of suicides to be targeted.

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee extended his thanks to His Majesty’s Senior Coroner for his presentation.

RESOLVED

1.      That the comments made by the Committee be recorded.

2.      That the Coroners Service Annual report be received, and that the Committee’s satisfaction be recorded on activity undertaken by the Coroners Service throughout 2022.

3.      That a further report be received in 12 months’ time.