Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of the protected time given to a witness?
What is the purpose of the protected time given to a witness?
- To review legal precedents for the case
- To discuss strategies with legal services
- To prepare for the court appearance
- To complete the witness statement electronically (correct)
Who is responsible for checking the completed witness statement before it is sent to the legal team?
Who is responsible for checking the completed witness statement before it is sent to the legal team?
- The CTM (Clinical Team Manager) (correct)
- The coroner
- The witness themselves
- The local management team
What should a witness do when called to give evidence in court?
What should a witness do when called to give evidence in court?
- Sit down immediately upon entering
- Discuss the case with the jury
- Stand until instructed to take a seat (correct)
- Only provide personal opinions
What type of evidence should be included in the witness statement?
What type of evidence should be included in the witness statement?
How long is suggested for the review of the PRF and witness statement against the checklist?
How long is suggested for the review of the PRF and witness statement against the checklist?
What is the primary purpose of a witness statement in the context of inquests?
What is the primary purpose of a witness statement in the context of inquests?
How many new inquest notifications does Legal Services receive on average each month?
How many new inquest notifications does Legal Services receive on average each month?
Which of the following circumstances could warrant an inquest?
Which of the following circumstances could warrant an inquest?
What is a potential consequence of failing to provide a well-written witness statement?
What is a potential consequence of failing to provide a well-written witness statement?
Which of the following best defines an inquest?
Which of the following best defines an inquest?
Why is accurate documentation vital when completing a witness statement?
Why is accurate documentation vital when completing a witness statement?
When might ambulance clinicians be called to provide a witness statement?
When might ambulance clinicians be called to provide a witness statement?
What type of information should a witness statement contain?
What type of information should a witness statement contain?
What is the role of the local management team in the process following a coroner's notification?
What is the role of the local management team in the process following a coroner's notification?
Which action should a witness take immediately before attending court?
Which action should a witness take immediately before attending court?
What is the correct procedure regarding the witness statement checklist?
What is the correct procedure regarding the witness statement checklist?
What is expected of a witness in terms of confidentiality during the witness statement process?
What is expected of a witness in terms of confidentiality during the witness statement process?
What preliminary activity should a witness engage in regarding their PRF and witness statement?
What preliminary activity should a witness engage in regarding their PRF and witness statement?
What is the primary reason ambulance clinicians are required to provide a witness statement?
What is the primary reason ambulance clinicians are required to provide a witness statement?
Which of the following scenarios could lead to the necessity of an inquest?
Which of the following scenarios could lead to the necessity of an inquest?
How frequently does Legal Services receive new inquest notifications?
How frequently does Legal Services receive new inquest notifications?
What constitutes a well-written witness statement?
What constitutes a well-written witness statement?
What is one potential outcome of providing a poorly written witness statement?
What is one potential outcome of providing a poorly written witness statement?
Which of the following best describes the role of a witness statement in legal investigations?
Which of the following best describes the role of a witness statement in legal investigations?
What is a consequence of accurate documentation in witness statements?
What is a consequence of accurate documentation in witness statements?
What are some other types of deaths that may require an inquest besides violent deaths?
What are some other types of deaths that may require an inquest besides violent deaths?
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Study Notes
Witness Statement Process
- The coroner contacts Legal and Administrative Services (LAS) legal services.
- Local management team is informed of the situation.
- Protected time is allocated for completing the witness statement electronically.
- Access to the Patient Report Form (PRF) and accompanying paperwork is provided.
Completing the Witness Statement
- Utilize the template and witness statement checklist for accurate documentation.
- All evidence must be based on factual information—avoid speculation.
- Witness statement reviewed by Clinical Team Manager (CTM) before submission to legal services.
- Maintain a personal copy while adhering to patient confidentiality; station management may store it in records.
Giving Evidence in Coroner's Court
- Legal services provide thorough briefing before court appearance.
- Attend court in uniform, supported by managerial staff, usually the CTM.
- Stand until invited to take a seat; you may need to read your statement or answer questions.
Preparation and Review
- Review the PRF and witness statement against the Witness Statement Checklist for completeness (15 minutes).
- Discussion on potential improvements and all elements of the statement (10 minutes).
Importance of Documentation
- Accurate documentation in witness statements is crucial to compliance with legislation, policies, and procedures.
Understanding Inquests
- Inquests investigate circumstances surrounding a deceased's death, including:
- Accidental death
- Suspicious or unknown circumstances
- Violent or unnatural death
- Deaths deemed unknown following a post-mortem examination.
Inquest Notifications
- Legal services receive approximately 140 new inquest notifications monthly, each requiring witness statements from attending crew staff.
- Throughout a career, one will likely need to complete a witness statement.
- A well-written statement can prevent being summoned to testify in court.
Purpose of a Witness Statement
- Ambulance clinicians, often first responders, may be called to provide evidence of their observations.
- Witness statements should convey concise, accurate, and factual information to assist investigations in building an evidence-based case.
Witness Statement Process
- The coroner contacts Legal and Administrative Services (LAS) legal services.
- Local management team is informed of the situation.
- Protected time is allocated for completing the witness statement electronically.
- Access to the Patient Report Form (PRF) and accompanying paperwork is provided.
Completing the Witness Statement
- Utilize the template and witness statement checklist for accurate documentation.
- All evidence must be based on factual information—avoid speculation.
- Witness statement reviewed by Clinical Team Manager (CTM) before submission to legal services.
- Maintain a personal copy while adhering to patient confidentiality; station management may store it in records.
Giving Evidence in Coroner's Court
- Legal services provide thorough briefing before court appearance.
- Attend court in uniform, supported by managerial staff, usually the CTM.
- Stand until invited to take a seat; you may need to read your statement or answer questions.
Preparation and Review
- Review the PRF and witness statement against the Witness Statement Checklist for completeness (15 minutes).
- Discussion on potential improvements and all elements of the statement (10 minutes).
Importance of Documentation
- Accurate documentation in witness statements is crucial to compliance with legislation, policies, and procedures.
Understanding Inquests
- Inquests investigate circumstances surrounding a deceased's death, including:
- Accidental death
- Suspicious or unknown circumstances
- Violent or unnatural death
- Deaths deemed unknown following a post-mortem examination.
Inquest Notifications
- Legal services receive approximately 140 new inquest notifications monthly, each requiring witness statements from attending crew staff.
- Throughout a career, one will likely need to complete a witness statement.
- A well-written statement can prevent being summoned to testify in court.
Purpose of a Witness Statement
- Ambulance clinicians, often first responders, may be called to provide evidence of their observations.
- Witness statements should convey concise, accurate, and factual information to assist investigations in building an evidence-based case.
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