West Sussex

Coroner Area
Reports: 136 Earliest: Jul 2013 Latest: 12 Mar 2026

86% response rate (above 62% average).

136 results
Paul Green
Response Pending
2026-0146 12 Mar 2026
Department for Transport
Child Death (from 2015)
Concerns summary The current system allows inexperienced 17-year-old drivers to drive unsupervised with teenage passengers, which is a factor in collisions and increases the risk of future fatal incidents.
Benjamin Websdale
Response Pending
2026-0094 17 Feb 2026
National Police Chiefs Council
Suicide (from 2015)
Concerns summary There's no national recording of police officer suicides during misconduct investigations, preventing identification of risk and support needs. Also, not all police forces have implemented trauma education campaigns.
Ellame Ford-Dunn Prevention of future deaths report
All Responded
2026-0056 3 Feb 2026
NHS England & NHS Improvement
Mental Health related deaths Suicide (from 2015)
Concerns summary Insufficient Tier 4 Paediatric Mental Health beds lead to long waits, resulting in children with mental health needs being inappropriately held on acute paediatric wards unsuitable for their care.
Action taken summary NHS England has funded the recruitment of additional mental health nurses for paediatric wards and emergency departments at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. They are also engaged in m
Dominic Hurley
All Responded
2025-0588 18 Nov 2025
Sub Aqua Association Spcae Solutions Bu… British Sub Aqua Association
Other related deaths
Concerns summary The system for renewing diving licenses relies too heavily on self-declaration, failing to verify previous medical history or diving incidents, which risks diver safety.
Action taken summary The Sub Aqua Association states that its dive medical screening forms were updated in May 2020 (and May 2024) to specifically include 'immersion induced pulmonary oedema' and are used for …
Patricia Genders
All Responded
2025-0551 28 Oct 2025
NHS England & NHS Improvement Department of Health and Social Care
Community health care and emergency services related deaths
Concerns summary Over-reliance on A&E for mental health crises due to inadequate dedicated placements creates an unsuitable and insecure environment, risking patient deterioration and abscondment.
Action taken summary NHS England has initiated a pilot program for 24/7 neighbourhood mental health centres and implemented a 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Pathway. They have also published updated guidance for mental health
Sarah Healey
All Responded
2025-0520 11 Oct 2025
Department of Health and Social Care
Other related deaths
Concerns summary Inadequate information sharing and a lack of a joined-up approach across health services for mental health patients with physical issues led to fragmented care. Over-reliance on remote appointments may fail vulnerable individuals.
Action taken summary The Department of Health and Social Care notes there are no plans to develop a national policy on mandatory face-to-face appointments. They are working with NHS England on new Personalised …
Joanna Chamberlain
All Responded
2025-0571 11 Oct 2025
NHS England
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary A gap exists in safe spaces for mental health patients needing more support than home teams provide. National guidance is needed for proactively including family and GP input in care plans.
Action taken summary NHS England is trialling neighbourhood mental health centres in six areas to provide community support for mental health patients not in immediate crisis. They have also shared draft 'Personalised Car
Imogen Nunn Prevention of future deaths report
All Responded
2025-0494 7 Oct 2025
Cabinet Office, 1 Horse Guards Road Caxton House Department for Work and Pensions +8 more
Mental Health related deaths Suicide (from 2015)
Concerns summary A national shortage and lack of regulation for British Sign Language interpreters, alongside procurement issues and few BSL-proficient clinicians, create significant risks for deaf mental health patients.
Action taken summary The Department for Education acknowledges concerns regarding BSL interpreter shortages and procurement, but maintains the government's preference for industry self-regulation. The Minister will raise
Richard Ellis
Partially Responded
2025-0483 26 Sep 2025
Great Minster House 33 Horseferry Road … Department for Transport
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary There are no legal requirements for the servicing and maintenance of agricultural tractors, leaving safety dependent solely on owner discretion and posing a risk on public roads.
Action taken summary The Department for Transport acknowledges the lack of specific legal requirements for agricultural tractor maintenance on private land. It has asked officials to investigate how to raise awareness of
Keith Hankin
All Responded
2025-0472 17 Sep 2025
Chief Executive Care Quality Commission Department of Health and Social Care +2 more
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary A community urology service lacked robust clinical governance, integration with NHS services, and proper appraisal of clinicians, leading to fragmented care and potential detriment to patient safety.
Action taken summary The CQC confirmed that Goring Hall Hospital (GHH) implemented additional measures, including sharing coroner's findings with governance committees, updated documentation for antimicrobials, clarifying
Maureen Batchelor
Partially Responded
2025-0406 5 Aug 2025
Department of Health and Social Care NHS England University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundat…
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary The Emergency Department consistently treats patients in corridors due to severe overcrowding and insufficient clinical space, despite ongoing efforts, posing an unacceptable risk to patient safety.
Action taken summary NHS England has published principles for care in temporary escalation spaces and the 2025/26 Urgent and Emergency Care Plan to improve patient flow. They have also mandated daily reporting of …
Shaun Marriott
All Responded
2025-0348 9 Jul 2025
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary The day surgery patient assessment system lacks explicit requirements to question or record details about patients' haematological family history, or adequately document negative responses to related personal history questions.
Action taken summary The Trust has already updated its patient questionnaire and pre-operative assessment form to directly ask about haematological family history and added prompts to record relevant information. They als
Sally Burr
All Responded
2025-0297 13 Jun 2025
NHS England
Suicide (from 2015)
Concerns summary Detained mental health patients can exploit mobile internet access to research self-harm methods, as staff lack effective technical means to monitor or control usage, despite revised policies.
Action taken summary NHS England has published national 'Principles for using digital technologies in mental health inpatient treatment and care' (February 2025) and ensures all PFD reports are discussed by its Regulation
Margaret Reeves
All Responded
2025-0227 13 May 2025
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust NHS Sussex
Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths Suicide (from 2015)
Concerns summary Inadequate information sharing with GPs risks patients receiving either no medication or excessive, duplicative prescriptions, posing a significant safety concern.
Action taken summary The Trust plans to migrate to the SystmOne Electronic Patient Record system by November 2025 to enable two-way, real-time information sharing with GP surgeries. They are also prioritizing the rollout
Doreen Turner
All Responded
2025-0208 30 Apr 2025
West Sussex County Council
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary A residential cul-de-sac lacks adequate barriers and standard height kerbing at its end, allowing vehicles to repeatedly enter an adjacent canal, posing a significant safety risk.
Action taken summary West Sussex County Council has designed and ordered the installation of way-markers and bollards with reflectors at the end of South Bank, with works expected to be completed by 31 …
Imogen Nunn
All Responded
2025-0156 24 Mar 2025
National Register of Communication Prof… NHS England Department of Health and Social Care
Suicide (from 2015)
Concerns summary A severe shortage of British Sign Language interpreters is hindering urgent mental health crisis assessments and delaying judicial proceedings for deaf patients and witnesses.
Action taken summary NHS England highlights that a national framework agreement for interpretation services is in place and a National Working Group for BSL/Deaf Mental Health Services has been established and met. They …
Alonzo Wood
All Responded
2025-0152 18 Mar 2025
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gyna… National Institute for Health and Care …
Child Death (from 2015) Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary Clinicians lack clear guidance on managing abnormal antenatal CTGs, specifically regarding decisions and timing of delivery, leading to inconsistent reliance on individual clinical judgment.
Action taken summary The RCOG acknowledges the concern but states that due to clinical variability, individualised care and professional judgment are essential, and there is no national guidance on antenatal CTG interpret
William Radford
All Responded
2025-0143 14 Mar 2025
Department for Transport
Child Death (from 2015) Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary Inexperienced young drivers, recently passing their test, face increased accident risk when carrying young passengers, highlighting a concern about current regulations.
Action taken summary The Department for Transport states it is not considering Graduated Driving Licences but is tackling young driver risks through the existing THINK! campaign. The Department is also developing its firs
Barry Myers
All Responded
2025-0141 12 Mar 2025
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundat… NHS England
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary Insufficient funding prevents the provision of urgent mechanical thrombectomy services between 4 pm and 8 am at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.
Action taken summary NHS England states that mechanical thrombectomy services have been commissioned since 2019, with 24/7 access now available across the South East region via specialist centres and mutual aid. All PFD …
John McLoughlin
Partially Responded
2025-0131 6 Mar 2025
British Airline Pilots’ Association Civil Aviation Authority
Mental Health related deaths Suicide (from 2015)
Concerns summary Peer Support for pilots is inadequate for severe mental health issues and suicidal thoughts, highlighting a lack of robust mental health support for escalating problems within the industry.
Action taken summary The Civil Aviation Authority plans to instruct inspectors to encourage operators and training organizations to enhance pilot mental health support, including upskilling peer supporters and promoting e
Kenton Beasley
All Responded
2025-0076 7 Feb 2025
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Suicide (from 2015)
Concerns summary A protracted and frustrating DVLA licence renewal process, characterized by communication failures, incorrect information, and lack of vulnerable customer support, significantly exacerbated the deceased's poor mental state and prevented employment.
Action taken summary The DVLA acknowledges the protracted period for licence renewal but states that the steps taken were necessary and proportionate for medical assessment. They attribute the most significant delay to th
Sapphire Bernard
All Responded
2025-0070 5 Feb 2025
NHS England & NHS Improvement NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths Mental Health related deaths
Concerns summary Critical shortage of psychiatric beds leads to dangerously long waits in unsuitable A&E environments, exacerbating mental health for neurodiverse patients.
Action taken summary NHS England has opened an additional 80 mental health beds since Spring 2024 and introduced national monitoring of A&E patients waiting over 72 hours for mental health placements, with individual …
Aeran Taylor
All Responded
2025-0057 31 Jan 2025
Ministry of Defence
Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths Service Personnel related deaths
Concerns summary Deficient mental health assessments at military discharge, lack of inquiry into drug use linked to potential PTSD, and insufficient long-term rehabilitation options for veterans with substance abuse were identified.
Action taken summary The Ministry of Defence disputed that inquiries into drug use correlation with PTSD and formal mental health assessments at discharge were lacking, stating such checks and Structured Mental Health Ass
Harry Southern
All Responded
2025-0034 20 Jan 2025
Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust
Mental Health related deaths Suicide (from 2015)
Concerns summary Suicide prevention information is inadequately provided and often inaccessible for young people, with contact numbers unmonitored or unsuitable for those with disabilities, exacerbated by potential funding cuts.
Action taken summary Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust has redesigned its mental health helpline to the Mental Health Rapid Response Service, improving call answer rates and reducing wait times. They have also implement
June Liddell
All Responded
2025-0025 13 Jan 2025
LivaNova UK Limited
Product related deaths
Concerns summary Critical error messages and equipment defect indicators are not documented in user instructions or known to staff. Machine maintenance procedures also fail to identify component wear and tear.
Action taken summary LivaNova explicitly disputes the coroner's concerns, stating that the CP5 heart-lung machine operated as intended and provided clear warnings to the perfusionist. They do not agree that changes to the