An explanation

Some of you have asked questions about the inquest. You are right, and in 99% of cases, the death would have been registered within a couple of days. Then there is the 1%. That would be me. Or Geoff, rather.

I had a call from the Coroner the day G died, to say that he was unhappy re the fact that a man who was healthy suddenly deteriorated and died within a couple of weeks, and that he was ordering an inquest. I was quite happy with that. In fact, I would probably have called and requested one. The Coroner then issues an interim death certificate, and that can be used for some things, but as a temporary measure, and not at all for other things, which is why so much is up in the air. You cannot register a death with an interim certificate. You can have a cremation or funeral.

The cause of his death will be established at the inquest. The Coroner cannot apportion blame, but can decide on the cause. We know how he died. Why is another story. I know, but the Coroner has to decide in his court. And a lot of things could be made very simple depending on his verdict. As some of you know, I am also in the process of taking legal action against the hospital for failing to diagnose or treat Geoff.

This is why I say at times that I am an authority on cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. And all related cardiothoracic diseases, and operations. I have had to be, to make sure that what happened to this family does not happen to another one. Or more.

I have also been called as a witness and will have to testify, and will be cross-examined. I did not expect this, but you know what.... I will be just fine. No-one knows better. I was there and I remember everything very clearly. All the doctors have been called as well. 6 of them at least. They will have to answer the Coroner's and my questions. I have been told that this is the best chance I have of getting the answers to so many of the questions I have to ask. Under oath, they have to tell the truth, and when you have hospital notes which quote a doctor as saying "the patient's condition is unimportant" you have lots of questions.

The reason for the long delay is because Geoff died in Oxford, and the Oxford Coroner deals with all the military deaths in war zones, and also high profile ones. So the ordinary men and women have to wait. But as I have recently heard on the news that they are hearing cases from the 1990s, I am relieved that the wait is just 15 months.

So there you are. More info on inquests than you ever wanted to know!

And on a totally different note, I wish all of my friends in the States a very happy 4th July!!!!