Our lives were shattered on 13th September 2013 when our 7-year-old daughter, Evelyn, died suddenly. I tried to save her with CPR, but her airway was blocked by a complication of viral croup called Bacterial Tracheitis. We had taken Evelyn to A&E and made two separate visits to the GP. Yet, despite these visits, she died just an hour after we saw the GP. My grief was all-consuming, but the realisation that her death could have been prevented added layers of hardship that I could never have expected. The truth was obfuscated by the hospital's inaccurate information and claims that were not consistent with my recollections or medical records, and I was forced to fight to prove that my daughter’s death was not just a tragic accident—an ordeal that no parent should have to endure.

The NHS and Child Death Review processes do not consider families’ concerns and so it was necessary to push for an inquest, which compounded the agony of our loss; the very system designed to protect us became an additional source of trauma. In my pursuit of clarity and justice for Evelyn, whilst trying to cope with the enormity of our loss, I was diagnosed with moderately severe PTSD. This has irrevocably altered my life, deepening the wound left by my child's death, a void that nothing can fill.  There remain unanswered questions about failures by the police and NHS to follow the protocol for sudden child death, including a decision by the hospital not to inform anyone.  There has been no accountability for these failures, or for the discrepancies between the reports from the NHS, and the medical records.  

The need for change is clear. Parents should not have to battle through bureaucratic red tape and emotional turmoil to uncover the truth behind their child's death within the NHS. It is imperative that parents be automatically granted the right to an inquest, ensuring an honest examination of the facts following a child’s death. This would not only honour the lives lost but also potentially reveal systemic issues, leading to changes that could prevent further tragedies.

This change is both feasible and necessary. By mandating an automatic inquest if the family wants it, we create accountability and transparency within our healthcare system. This policy would not require extensive resources, yet its impact could be substantial, saving parents from additional suffering and ensuring that lessons are learned to avoid future preventable deaths.

We urge the Ministry of Justice to recognise the profound responsibility they bear and to implement this policy as a matter of urgency. By signing this petition, you pledge your support to create more compassionate justice and healthcare systems that respect and honour the rights of grieving families. Help us ensure that no other family has to face the suffering that my family has endured, and that no other parent is left to pursue the truth alone about what happened to their child. Sign to support rightful justice and peace of mind for grieving parents.