Statements
If you are asked to provide a statement for an inquest or Coroner’s Court check your employer’s policy. Your employer will usually support you. You may be required to talk to management, or your employer’s solicitor, before speaking to the Coroner’s Office/officer. The policy should outline whether your employer will arrange representation for you to avoid incriminating yourself.
If you are a witness or an interested person and you are not being supported by your employer, please call us on 0345 772 6100 for advice.
If there is a risk of you being prosecuted in connection with a death, or you may have contributed in some way to the death, call us on 0345 772 6100 for advice prior submitting or signing any statement.
Read more about statements here.
RCN Representation
The RCN policy is that we would expect the employer to represent a member at an Inquest/Inquiry.
However, in certain exceptional circumstances, the RCN may provide support but this will be determined on a case-by-case basis if:
- there is a clear conflict of interest between a member and other staff involved in the patient's care (such as doctors) and it would be difficult for the employer to represent all staff and the interests of the employer
- the employer is refusing to represent, and the RCN cannot persuade the employer otherwise.
Your trust may arrange legal representation to protect the trust's interests. They may also be able to represent you if there is a potential conflict between your interests and those of your employing trust.
Please contact us on 0345 772 6100 if you wish to discuss this further.
For more information on what to expect when attending a coroners court please go to the Coroners’ Court Support Service site.