Island Echo readers have been expressing their anger and disgust at the lengthy delays being experienced when it comes to inquests – with at least 1 Isle of Wight family still waiting for closure some 4 years after the death of their loved one. Earlier this month it was revealed that the average time for an inquest to be completed now sits at some 67 weeks, up from 63 weeks in 2022 and 40 weeks in 2020. At the end of December, 311 inquests remained open of which 124 (39%) had been open for more than 12 months. Despite this growing backlog, not a single public inquest has taken place in the past 6 months with no explanation as to why. Since publishing the news about the increased delay in inquests, a number of readers have been in touch with their experiences… One family says their loved one died in May 2020 and experienced a ‘traumatic death’ at St Mary’s Hospital. After 4 years they still only have an interim death certificate and say they ‘hear nothing’ from the coroner’s office. The delays mean they have exceeded the 3-year limit to make a formal complaint about the hospital’s alleged actions. Other comments from local families include:
- “I’m not looking forward to all the memories being dragged up again and having to relive it all. It will be a huge set back”.
- “Over 2 years now and need closure”.
- “More like 2/3 years is the reality and it’s shocking. So hard for the ones left behind”.
- “All we hear is excuse after excuse from her. Disgusting service and the woman should be sacked”.
- “I just do not understand how this is being allowed to happen. We are at almost 3 years of waiting”.
Last Autumn, the family of Ryde man Alfred Goddard finally saw a conclusion to his inquest some 6 years after he died. Island Echo now has a list of 64 deaths which are expected to go to inquest, the oldest of which dates back to January 2020. For many of these deaths, the name of the deceased is simply unknown because the opening of inquests is not publicised. A number of Section 9C ‘in writing’ hearings have taken place across March, April and May. There are hopes that the backlog of inquests can be reduced with the introduction of a dedicated Coroners Court at Seaclose in Newport, as previously reported by Island Echo. Nearly £90,000 has been set aside to transform the first floor of the offices at Seaclose into a dedicated court by September. Work is set to get underway in July to provide a large courtroom, jury retiring room, conference rooms and modern office space. The Isle of Wight Council – which funds the Coroner Service – is also currently looking to employ 2 coroner officers, at a total cost of around £55,000.
The Isle of Wight Council – which funds the Coroner Service
well, if they weren’t spending so much taxpayers money on free loading, benefit sponging parasites, housing illegals and driving businesses out of the high street with exorbitant business rates,then perhaps they would have more money to expand the coroners service to cope
Nice to see a considered response from another GB News watching, Daily Mail reading member of society. Surprised you didn’t manage to squeeze cancel culture, woke and small boats in there too.
The reality is that the IOW Coroner does not live on the Isle of Wight and seems to struggle with her job. The Council did make a huge error of judgement on appointing her but the levers to deal with an inefficient coroner are limited.
Island Echo – have you asked the council what performance measure they are able to hold the coroner against and if they can cease her employment to get a better Island based coroner?
my point made rather well – considering you must be one of those do gooding, guardian reading, lefty hand wringers that want to welcome in the worlds dross, whilst not suffering one bit yourself.
GB News, Daily Mail?? You’ve just generalised a few million people there! Disgusting person! The fact that barrister’s and judges can earn £400 plus and hour and the Coroner’s portion pays a fraction of that means that you are not necessarily going to get thr best person for the job!
Ignoramus
Maybe they are swamped with all the excess deaths that have been taking place
over the last few years since the administration of vaccines.
AstraZeneca have pulled their vaccines off the market due to the harms they have done.
Are you sure about that? I thought it was because there was no money to be made from it any more. When was the last time a pharma company worried about the harm that they had caused?
I’m afraid Astra Zeneca caused me a very bad side effect. now I am afraid to have any more jabs. I just hope that I stay clear of COVID. I did have a mild attack.
You need to Google the damage done by AstraZeneca
When will the truth come out about the other manufacturers?
My lovely Dad died last summer and the family are waiting for the inquest to be held, the grieving process cannot even begin until this is done.
What I don’t understand is why do they need fancy facilities? Just a decent size room would do, the council must have loads of them!
The majority of council staff work from home so most of the building is empty and we’re funding it!