Coroners to hold inquests into stillbirths

PARENTS who suffer a stillbirth could get answers about their child’s death under plans to improve investigations.

Coroners in England and Wales could be given powers to hold inquests into full-term stillbirths occurring from 37 weeks of pregnancy.

At present, inquests are only held for babies who showed signs of life after being born.

Coroners cannot investigate where the pregnancy appeared healthy but the baby was stillborn. In these circumstances, the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch must investigate. The plans are going out to public consultation until June 18.