Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Epilepsy: Sudden Unexpected Death

Tuesday 10 December 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister met the chief coroner recently without discussing sudden unexpected death in epilepsy specifically.
  • Coroners have a statutory duty to investigate deaths that are unexplained, violent, or unnatural.
  • Government recognizes delays and issues facing coroners and their impact on bereaved families.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Olly Glover Lib Dem Didcot and Wantage
Mental Health
Context

SUDEP Action, a charity based in Didcot and Wantage constituency, provides support for families affected by sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. The issue revolves around the need for improvements to coroner services to reduce trauma and improve understanding of causes.

Question

What discussions she has had with the chief coroner on reporting sudden unexpected death in epilepsy?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

I recently met the chief coroner. We did not discuss the specifics of this issue, but coroners have a statutory duty to investigate deaths that are not reported to them if they suspect that the cause is unknown, violent or unnatural, or that the death occurred in custody or other state detention.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions on reporting sudden unexpected death in epilepsy were not addressed.

How: We Did Not Discuss The Specifics Of This Issue

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Q2 Olly Glover Lib Dem Didcot and Wantage
Justice & Courts
Context

SUDEP Action, a charity based in Didcot and Wantage constituency, provides support for families affected by sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. The issue revolves around the need for improvements to coroner services to reduce trauma and improve understanding of causes.

Question

Will the Minister press for more investment in, and support for, the coroner service?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

The Government recognise the impact of delays and the other issues facing coroners at the moment, and the impact that that is having on bereaved families and the wider systems. We welcome the recent Justice Committee report on the coroner service, and I look forward to working closely with the chief coroner, local authorities and key partners to devise and deliver a wider strategy for those services.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to press for more investment in support for coroner service was not provided.

How: We Welcome The Recent Justice Committee Report On The Coroner Service

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