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Just a reminder that those who learn of a death that ought to be reported to the Coroner probably have a common law, but not a statutory, duty to report that death to the Coroner. The coroner's duty to enquire into death includes cases of "unnatural" death. The meaning of unnatural death has recently been clarified by the case of ex parte Touche. (R v. CORONER FOR INNER LONDON NORTH ex parte PETER FRANCIS TOUCHE, [2001] EWCA Civ 383 (21st March, 2001)) It can include cases of death due to disease where the opportunity for prompt or appropriate treatment has been lost If you know of a case where, for example, death has been by "gross mismanagement" of fluid and electrolyte disorders then unquestionably this is something that you should be very sure has been reported to the coroner and/or the police. Death due to "gross mismanagement" could lead to charges of gross negligence manslaughter. (Existence of a duty of care, breach of that duty of care leading to death of the person to whom the defendant owes a duty of care, nature of the breach so great that it requires punishment by the law and not just monetary compensation = gross negligence manslaughter) Robert Forrest