What to expect from an inquest? Did they fail her?

[Advice451]

If anyone has seen my other posts you'll know what's going on.
If not - I'm 23 weeks pregnant, on Monday 7th July my grandma passed away suddenly after a fall, the day after my mum took her own life. It was my fathers mother that died not my mums.
Were all very much in shock still

The death of my mother has gone to inquest and a court date has been set for 2 weeks before I'm due. This is just making me feel like I can't get closure. What do I expect from an inquest? Will I be able to ask questions ?

Something that's really annoying me is that 4 weeks before her death my mum was in hospital for 3 days after taking an overdose. This was the first time she's ever done anything like this own shown any signs of depression. Why didn't they help her ? Why did they let her home? Her referral to see a specialist came through the post on Monday which shocked me. What if it came sooner ? I know noones to blame. But I'd hate to think that other families could go through the pain I'm suffering because of lack of help.

[cathpip]

These are all questions that should be looked at and addressed by the coroner, if you have particular concerns you could phone his/her office and speak to his/her assistant who should pass these to the coroner. What is helpful to remember is that a coroner holds one of the most highest offices in the country and he/she can overrule police and hospital authorities. We found this out when a coroners post mortum was ordered on our dd, you can't refuse one from the coroner unlike a hospital ordered one.
Don't also be put off by them and what they may be wearing in court, they are very nice people, I know one very well and he is super lovely!

[gingerbeard]

OP I am so sorry to hear about your Grandma and your Mum. I wanted to add that I also have personal experience of coroners and I agree with Cathpip. They are usually very concerned with the feelings of the family, and extremely helpful. They're job is to find out why someone died, they are independent and can often be very critical of events leading to a person's death. IME they are not scary places, and you shouldn't be worried about going. The actual process may help you find closure. This may be helpful to you www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-coroner-services-and-coroner-investigations-a-short-guide

[Galaxymum]

Hello OP. I am so sorry to hear about your Grandma and Mum. What a terrible time you're having.
I attended my mum's inquest in December 2012. I can honestly say the process gave me closure although I had been very anxious beforehand. We sat in a less formal looking court at the front facing the coroner. Each witness answered questions from the coroner and then I could ask them questions or verify information.

My mum fell in hospital and broke her hip which was repaired but didn't heal. After a second op she haemorrhaged and died. So, the pathologist was there then the two surgeons and the nurse responsible when she fell. I would guess they will bring in the person who discharged your mum who will be the key witness. Make sure you prepare questions for anything that is concernjng you. Take notes and ask for information to be explained.

I talked to the nurse who had been in charge and this gave me closure to hear properly what happened.

However I also submitted a complaints procedure before the inquest to investigate mum's treatment. While dates are fresh in your memory I would do this - complain that your mum was discharged too early or you think, without full analysis. An inquest does not seek someone to blame. But the complaint procedure leads to an investigation and is separate. It just took one email for me to start the procedure but gave me some answers later.

I am sorry for your losses at this difficult time. And hope you get some answers.

[BackforGood]

I too am so sorry to hear of your double loss, and so close together, and so sudden

Like others, I found the inquest not too daunting and I did feel it meant that everything had been investigated and 'proven' to us that, although very sudden and unexpected, my sister's death was 'one of those things' and nothing anybody could have done would have changed that, from which we took comfort. We were met in the foyer by the coroner, who took us into his office beforehand and talked us through the procedure, explaining what would happen and letting us know the findings before they were actually read out in court.