Pandemic influenza - guidance on the operation of the coroner system (England and Wales)

Status: Closed - with response

Open date: 23 July 2008

Close date: 03 September 2008

Responses published: 05 December 2008

The draft guidance sets out proposals for the operation of the coroners system in the event of an influenza pandemic. It follows on from the commitment made to publish operational guidance for coroners in the Home Office document 'Planning for a Possible Influenza Pandemic: A Framework for Planners Preparing to Manage Deaths', published on 19 May 2008.

The guidance sets out potential measures that coroners and local planners can take without legislative change. It also sets out what legislative changes the government intends to make if the severity of a pandemic necessitates legislative measures.

Consultation paper

Pandemic influenza - draft guidance on the operation of the coroner system in England and Wales (PDF 0.21mb 27 pages)

Responses

There were 24 responses to the consultation, and in general terms the proposals were welcomed and will be taken forward. As outlined in the response, the government is carrying out further work to the guidance, which will be published in the New Year.