Coping with a coroner's inquest: a psychiatrist's guide

Abstract

Summary During the period 2000–2004 the average annual suicide rate in England and Wales was 10.2 deaths per 100 000 population over 10 years of age. About a quarter of those who take their own lives are in contact with mental health services in the year before their death. This means that an average in-patient, sector or community psychiatrist is likely to experience the death of at least one patient by suicide in most years. Suicides by patients cause considerable distress for the psychiatrist that is unlikely to resolve until after the coroner's hearing. This article discusses suicide prevention and provides guidance for psychiatrists on preparing for a coroner's inquest following a patient's death that may have been by suicide.