I am very grateful to @mattturtle.bsky.social and Gill Taylor from @ourmoh.bsky.social, Ciara Bartlam and Isabel Bertschinger for comments on an earlier draft – obviously all the mistakes which remain are solely down to me (and thanks to Rosie Harding for use of the data from another project).
Beyond this, the research highlights the need for a #NationalOversightMechanism, and the need to improve collection of statistical information from inquests, to ensure the systems we have for identifying issues when people die do not ignore the importance of housing and home.
In addition, Coroners need to be trained on housing law, policy and practice, and there should be specific guidance on cross referencing, to encourage Coroners to engage with previous reports on similar issues.
In particular, publication of reports needs to be more closely aligned with the wider determinants of health, and while this is being done, we need a housing/homelessness category on the Chief Coroner’s database (along with the capacity to send email alerts relating to specific areas).
As some of you will know, this is something I have been wanting to examine in more detail for a long time, and there is a lot more I want to say about it and a lot more research and analysis is needed, but I hope this research can play a useful role in highlighting issues which need urgent attention
It concludes by setting out some recommendations for improvements aimed at central Government, individual Coroners, and the Chief Coroner.
It identifies a sharp increase in the number of cases in which housing and homelessness is a specific concern for Coroners, but also notes significant regional variation between different Coroner Areas.
This research analyses the inquest system and 8 years of reports by Coroners (2017-21 & 2023-25), to identify concerns raised by Coroners relating to the deaths of people experiencing homelessness. #inquest #Coroner #homeless #socialdeterminants #housing
We know that homelessness and precarious housing are closely connected to early, preventable deaths, but are we learning lessons to seek to prevent future deaths?
That is what research published today examines: homelessinquests.blogs.bristol.ac.uk
For those interested in health, planning, local authority discretion, see below...
Very much looking forward to 'A “charter for scroungers and scrimshankers”: A biography of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977' by @lwdsc.bsky.social on 4 March - come join us if you can: www.bristol.ac.uk/law/events/2...
U turn coming on Andy Burnham decision in 5, 4, 3, 2....
Rereading old science fiction, and amused to see Isaac Asimov predicting Large Language Models (and the critique of them) in 1953 - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mon...
Robert Jenrick: the Tories don't have the competence to fix broken Britain and deliver change.
Also Robert Jenrick: can't even manage his own basic security, as Badenoch gets a copy of his planned defection speech before he delivers it.
Very interesting to see this expansion of Rent Repayment Orders - is positive to see streamlined data systems and cross government working to seek to improve PRS standards
www.gov.uk/government/n...
The report was made on 1 December and published 3 December, so there is not yet a response from Grandwell Estates.
I am concerned that mould in the property and mould and/or other disrepair in other properties renovated and managed by Granddwell Estates may pose a risk that future deaths could occur.'
The mould in the property is extensive, thick and black. On the walls it is around knee height, it extends up the walls in the corners and around the ceiling where the ceiling and walls meet. It covers the curtains and furniture where soft furnishings and furniture is in contact with the walls.
His death was found to be due to encephalitis due to Varicella Zoster Virus (chicken pox), and the Coroner noted that:
'I have seen photographs and police body worn video footage of the mould in the property in which the Ali family live.
Baby Ali and his mother shared the bedroom, and his 4 siblings shared a double mattress on the floor in the living room. The flat had extensive mould and damp, along with a history of other disrepair matters, including a problem with the windows and a mouse infestation [since at least Aug 2021).'
'Abdullah Mohamed Ali was 6 months old when he died. He lived in a one bedroomed flat with his mother and 4 siblings, aged 2, 3, 4 and 5. The property was a one-bed privately rented flat.
I haven't seen it reported elsewhere, but there has been another Prevention of Future Deaths report by a Coroner for a very small child which highlights mould in the family home.
The details are distressing.
"At one point, as soon as Goodwin started talking, the camera lingered on her for a full 40 seconds. I don’t know if you’ve ever spent 40 seconds looking at Liz Truss wordlessly blinking and gulping, but it’s a genuinely disturbing sight. I wouldn’t wish it on anybody." Absolute gold.
Worth saying that often in the inquest context you can have a narrative conclusion so can be an explanation of the jury's decision
I'd say there is more justice for the defendant in having a more substantively public process, less chance of the evidence being rushed through, more chance of it being more carefully considered, with everyone involved being conscious of what they say and how that might be more widely understood
I wouldn't make it the centrepiece of an argument to retain them, but it is a piece of evidence to support assertions of their civic importance. Personally, I think they play an important role in making proceedings more public - slowing it down, making it accessible for a wider public to understand
Just remembered that too, vague memory dragged up from days in practice
And you still get juries for civil claims of malicious prosecution or false imprisonment
3. isn't correct - there are juries in inquest cases.
On the democracy discussion, there is evidence (from the US) of people going on to engage more in civic activities including a (from memory) 10% increase in voter turnout after jury service. I can try and dig out references if you are interested
Former German person. This is your mess now as well I'm sorry to say.