Shipman lawyer Ann Alexander today supported the comments of the Commons all-party Constitutional Affairs Select Committee, who called the draft Bill by constitutional affairs minister Harriet Harman into reform of the Coroner's system in England & Wales 'disappointing'.
The committee said that draft Bill, published last month, dropped some of the vital reforms from its 2004 proposals.
They also said the question of how to avoid a repeat of the Harold Shipman serial killer scandal had been left unsolved by ministers' plans.
Alexander Harris said:
"Shipman was a doctor who avoided the law whilst murdering his patients by exploiting all the loopholes in the current system."
"This bill will indeed be a missed opportunity if any loopholes remain which could see such tragedy strike again."
"In particular I call on the Government to implement the proposed procedures surrounding death and cremation certification as outlined in the Shipman Inquiry without delay."
In the Third Shipman Inquiry Report Dame Janet Smith made a number of recommendations for changes to the system for death and cremation certification and in particular reform to the cremation regulations.
BackRelated news stories
- 11/08/2006: Maternity failings at Royal Cornwall Hospital result in baby death
- 14/07/2006: Chief Medical Officer publishes report into patient safety following Shipman Inquiry
- 12/06/2006: Shipman lawyer Ann Alexander welcomes Government reform of Coroners system
- 07/02/2006: Government announces review of Corner's system
- 19/04/2005: Where is the political will to save us from bad doctors?
- 27/01/2005: Shipman: Final Report - Up to 15 further deaths confirmed
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May I take this opportunity to extend to you our grateful thanks for all your hard work you and your colleagues have done. Thanks to your efforts Dad will now have some peace of mind.
Kathleen, Derby
