NATIONAL SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATION AND REGISTRATION OF DEATHS

That this House notes with concern the finding of the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death 2006, that one quarter of autopsies are poor or unacceptable; urges the Government to reconsider the Draft Coroners Bill 2006 with a view to following the recommendation of the Smith Report into the Harold Shipman incident, and the Luce Report of the Fundamental Review of Death Investigation and Certification, that a national system be established for the investigation and registration of deaths; congratulates Epilepsy Bereaved, Cardiac Risk in the Young, Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths, Action for Victims of Medical Accidents and Victim's Voice for campaigning to highlight the plight of the suddenly bereaved; and urges the Government to develop policies that will particularly address the special needs of the bereaved and the public interest issue raised by these deaths.