The sudden and unexpected death of a patient can be emotionally complex and overwhelming for clinicians. This book will equip medical and other healthcare professionals with the necessary information and skills to fulfil their requirements in the coroner's court confidently and competently and understand their organisation's responsibilities. Practical and straightforward, this book aims to make the unfamiliar territory of the coroner's court transparent, enabling clinicians to negotiate all eventualities. It will provide clinicians with the confidence to turn what can feel like an adversarial situation into an opportunity to engage with an important part of the healthcare system, preventing future deaths and providing understanding to relatives. It also explores the underlying necessity of complying with requirements and suggests ways to cope with the emotional impact. With chapters covering expert witnesses, legal perspectives and managing outcomes, this book is essential for any healthcare professional called to an inquest.

‘Healthcare professionals called to give evidence in coroners' inquests may find the anticipation and the reality daunting. This guide demystifies and explains the process and offers reassurance and practical advice to minimise clinicians' concerns and ensure that their understanding of their duties and responsibilities to the court are clear and unambiguous.’

Jason Payne-James - Specialist in Forensic & Legal Medicine and Consultant Forensic Physician; Lead Medical Examiner, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital

‘I read A Clinician’s Brief Guide to the Coroner’s Court and Inquests with interest. I have attended the coroner’s court several times over my medical career, with varying amounts of support and guidance. I do wish my 28-year-old self had had access to such a useful real-world guide, written with such practicality and humanity. The court is complex, serving the law, the bereaved families, and future patients in terms of lessons learned. The guide takes you through this with expert contributors in a way that is both readable and clear, and would make the experience better for all potential professional attendees, and help them to serve the multilayered mission of the court to families, the law and future users of our health services. It will be a useful reference for health professionals for years to come and fills an important gap in the literature.’

Chris Streather - Regional Medical Director NHSE London

‘Sometimes a new book arrives, and one wonders how we possibly managed without it. This is such a book … Having given evidence myself a few times, both as a professional and an expert witness, I learnt lots more from this book and would certainly re-read this should I be called again.’

Keith Rix - Expert Healthcare Witness Matters, provided by the MAEP team at the Royal College of Psychiatrists

‘While the chapters are short, they contain a lot of useful information, which added to my knowledge; information I wish I had gained years ago. It would have eased a lot of the nervousness I have experienced on the days I have attended court … Finally, despite the book only consisting of 18 short chapters, it is refreshing to see that the authors have recognised the impact that can be felt by the clinician, should they be involved in a patient’s death and be required to attend court as a consequence. Preparing for both the short- and long-term psychological impact is highlighted as an important step to take.’

Vincent Romano Source: Journal of Paramedic Practice

‘This incredibly useful little book thoroughly succeeds in making a very large amount of essential medico-legal information readily accessible in a single volume, which is extremely easy to carry. It will prove useful to newly appointed consultants but also experienced consultants preparing for an inquest. If the Royal College of Psychiatrists were to be minded to include medico-legal subjects in the membership examination then I think there is much in this book that could readily translate into MCQs and be used as examination material. The book is strongly recommended.’

G. Spoto Source: Medico-Legal Journal

‘This volume is a valuable reference for trainees, consultants, and those in leadership or governance roles who may be involved in a coronial investigation. It is highly applicable to those working in anaesthesia and critical care, where the intersection of clinical practice and legal scrutiny is not uncommon. Whether preparing for an inquest or seeking to enhance broader understanding of coronial procedures, this guide provides clarity, reassurance, and practical insight into what can be a daunting professional experience.’

Source: British Journal of Anaesthesia

‘… essential reading for all psychiatrists, and many of the chapters are just as important for all doctors. This is not something I write lightly … it offers help for all early career doctors or any psychiatrist who doesn’t appear in the coroner’s court regularly. This is due to its brevity, salience and comprehensive coverage of processes. It neatly straddles legalistic precision, day-to-day practicalities and empathic consideration of the psychologicalimpact of the processes.’

Jonathan M. Hurlow Source: BJPsych Bulletin