Please support our call for a change to the Law surrounding Coroner’s jurisdiction in cases of Stillbirths;

There are over 3600 Stillbirths each yr in the UK, with 6-in-10 of these deaths being considered potentially avoidable.

We ask;

* All unexpected Stillbirths during Labour\Delivery are independently reviewed by a Coroner for Inquest

* Local Trusts share Stillbirth statistics with Coroners Office

'Clara's Law' Campaign has been started following the Inquest of Clara Tully Hardman who was initially classed as Stillborn. During the Inquest several practice, procedural & training issues were identified across various NHS services which prompted changes to limit risk of re-occurrence, thus preventing further tragedies occurring. Recommendations have been made in the Morecambe Bay Kirkup Report, by Coroners, Pathologists and by Dr Alan Fletcher which recommend reviewing current legislation.

Reason for this petition

My daughter, Clara Tully Hardman, was born 7th March 2014 in Warrington Hospital at 37+1 weeks and was classed as Stillborn on delivery.

During my own investigations I found records made by 5 different staff members referencing hearing a heartbeat immediately before delivery and a faint heartbeat 28 minutes into resuscitation. This prompted Cheshire Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg to approach the Chief Coroner, Rt Hon Peter Thorton QC, to approve an inquest to be held by Warrington Coroner’s Court. During the Inquest held by Cheshire Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg, more failings in care were highlighted and it was concluded that Clara had indeed been born Alive due to a heartbeat during resuscitation. Clara had not been Stillborn as originally advised by the hospital staff.

We believe the Coroner’s Inquest prompted quick action to meet recommendations made by other investigations and ultimately helped to prevent further loss of life at the hospital. Lessons have since been learned by the Trust and the RCOG have confirmed the hospital maternity department as safe.

There were 10 avoidable deaths at the Trust in a ten month period, Clara being the 10th death. If the proposed changes we are requesting would have been in place at the time, then a pattern would have been identified and the Coroner could have requested the right to view each case.

RCOG Article - Clara's Story https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/audit-quality-improvement/each-baby-counts/why-each-baby-counts-matters/claras-story/

PARLIAMENTARY PETITION - https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/120931