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Coroners statistics 2022

Coroners statistics 2022

The 2022 coroners statistics were published by the Ministry of Justice on 11 May 2023 and shed light on the national coronial picture for the last year.

We set out below some key figures arising from the statistics:

  1. Increase in the number of deaths reported to coroners in 2022. There were 208,400 deaths reported to coroners in 2022, the highest level since 2019 – up 7% (13,300) compared to 2021.
  2. 36% of all registered deaths were reported to coroners in 2022. The proportion of registered deaths in England and Wales reported to coroners is at the highest level since 2019. An increase of 13,250 (7%) from 2021. Conversely, 11% more inquests were opened in 2022. 36,300 inquests were opened in 2022, up 11% compared to 2021.
  3. Deaths in state detention had reduced 8% in the last year – the decrease was driven by a 20% fall in deaths in prison custody. There has however been an increase in number of deaths in state detention when you look at a period of 11 years, from 321 in 2011 to 534 in 2022.
  4. There were 403 PFD reports issued by coroners in 2022, down 8% compared to 2021. The categories included community healthcare, care home related deaths, hospital deaths and mental health related deaths. Please see this article for a thematic review of recent PFD reports.

For further information and support, please get in touch. 

Inquests

Specialist inquest law solicitors for the NHS and Independent Health and Social Care sectors

Consult our health lawyers for professional support within inquest law

Complicated inquests can arise within the NHS, Independent Health and Social Care sectors. They can be high-profile occasions, raising potential issues that require careful handling and robust legal advice with no room for error. Our healthcare solicitors are inquest specialists and an integral part of our service to health and social care organisations.

Consult the help of our team and benefit from expert advice on all matters relating to the coroners’ jurisdiction and inquests. We have decades of experience that we can begin sharing with you today.

How we can advise you

Our areas of expertise include:

  • dealing with the coroners’ requests for disclosure of documentary evidence, witness summonses and attending the pre-inquest review.
  • supporting our clients and their staff through the Inquest process.
  • advising on the inter-relationship between the Police / Health and Safety Executive (HSE) / Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) investigations following a death and a coroner’s investigation, including advice on the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007.
  • advising on duty of candour and patient safety implications.
  • reviewing / undertaking internal investigations and devising recommendations and action plans.
  • obtaining external reviews.
  • collaborating with the NHS Resolution in appropriate cases to ensure a joined up approach to litigated claims and complaints.
  • advising witnesses of their rights in relation to attending an Inquest to give oral evidence and self‑incrimination.
  • The Human Tissue Act 2005 and post-mortem examinations.
  • advocacy at coroners’ Inquests, including Article 2 and Jury Inquests and against Counsel, as a number of our specialist lawyers have Higher Rights of Audience.
  • dealing with complex Article 2 Inquests, including those involving allegations of gross negligence, manslaughter, neglect and system neglect.
  • drafting lesson learning statements and arguing against and, if necessary, advising on an appropriate response to a report issued by a coroner requesting details of actions that have or will be taken to prevent further deaths in similar circumstances.
  • judicial review of coroners’ decisions.
  • the release of a body for burial or cremation generally or on religious grounds and the retention of organs.
  • dealing with the media.
  • training in all aspects of coronial law, including corporate manslaughter and practical tips on writing statements for the coroner and giving evidence in Court.