The Right to Life

As far as I can tell, the tragic death of 60yr old Mr Michael Thompson in March 2016 was not widely covered by the media. An inquest in Southwark in 2017 returned a verdict that Mr Thompson had died an accidental death after he set fire to his own property whilst in mental health crisis […]

Using PFD Reports

We’ve started the new year with some familiar messages – more preventing future death reports (PFDs) from UK coroners after someone tragically lost their life in circumstances which gave rise to fears that aspects could be repeated and lead to future tragedy. PFDs are statutory notices, something the Coroner issues to an agency who may control […]

Not Just Points of Pedantry

I took a phone call last week from police force X, seeking advice. A patient who had absconded from a mental health unit in police force X had turned up in a hotel well over 100 miles away in police force Y’s area – he was AWOL under the Mental Health Act 1983 which creates […]