Templates
Template letter to a coroner (Editable word document)
A template for families who wish to place on record that they would have sought coronial involvement, had it been available.
This is not a request for an inquest and does not trigger coronial action. It is intended to record a position.
Write to your MP
If you want this changed, you can contact your MP and ask them to press for reform.
Suggested message:
Dear [MP’s name], I am writing as your constituent to ask you to support reform so that coroners can investigate stillbirths where concerns exist about the care provided. At present, if a baby is stillborn, there is no route to coronial investigation. This leaves families without access to an independent judicial process, even in cases where serious questions remain. Parliament legislated in 2019 for the Government to prepare and publish a report on whether, and if so how, coroners should be given powers to investigate stillbirths. That report has still not been produced. I would be grateful if you could: - write to the Lord Chancellor / Ministry of Justice asking when the section 4 report will be published - ask what steps the Government is taking to provide independent coronial oversight in stillbirth cases - support reform to close this gap Further background is available here: https://nobreathrequired.uk/briefing/ This matters to bereaved families because access to independent scrutiny should not depend on whether a baby showed signs of life after birth. Yours sincerely, [Your name] [Your full address]
WriteToThem lets you contact your representatives by entering your postcode. If you prefer, you can also use Parliament’s official Find your MP service. Include your full address so your MP knows you are a constituent.
Key legislation, official guidance and evidence relevant to coronial jurisdiction, stillbirth investigation and maternity safety in England and Wales.
Legislation
1861
Offences Against the Person Act 1861
1929
Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929
1967
1992
Still-Birth (Definition) Act 1992
2009
2019
Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc.) Act 2019
Official guidance
Chief Coroner’s Guidance
Guidance No.45 – Stillbirth and Live Birth Following Termination of Pregnancy
Coroners’ Reports
Reports to Prevent Future Deaths (PFDs)
Clinical guidance
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)
Green-top Guideline – Accuracy of ultrasound dating
First trimester ultrasound dating is accurate to approximately ±5–7 days.
RCOG Scientific Impact Paper – Definitions of term, late term and post-term pregnancy
Term: 37+0 to 41+6 weeks. Late term: 41+0 to 41+6 weeks. Post-term: ≥42+0 weeks.
Parliamentary material
House of Commons Library
The investigation of stillbirth (CBP-8167)
Hansard
Westminster Hall debate – Baby Loss: Coroners (19 March 2024)
Research and analysis
2024
Saving Babies’ Lives 2024: Progress Report (Sands & Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit)
2022
University of Manchester – Three fifths of UK medical certificates of stillbirth have major errors
MBRRACE-UK
Reports and data on perinatal mortality
MBRRACE-UK Reports and data on perinatal mortality
Government statements
Health and Social Care Secretary speech at RCOG World Congress (23 June 2025)
Consultation material
2019
Ministry of Justice & DHSC consultation – Coroners’ investigations of stillbirths
2024
Coroners’ investigations of stillbirths – summary of consultation responses