Submitted by: Sevenoaks Branch  

The National Council of Women calls upon Her Majesty’s Government to institute a review of the procedures for investigating a sudden unexpected cot death so that

(a) a pediatrician be called to the scene within hours of the infant’s death;

(b) a post-mortem examination be conducted by a pediatric pathologist;   

(c) police investigations (if required) be carried out by officers with relevant experience;

(d) bereavement support teams be made available when requested;  

(e) liaison between these teams be co-ordinated before any prosecution is initiated; and requests that the proposed review of the Coroner’s Office be expedited.