Best Practice in Incident Review
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Essential Guide to a Coroner’s Inquest
Coroner’s inquests explained: protecting your practice & presenting with confidence. This intensive one-day course is aimed at covering all aspects of an inquest including the Coroner’s investigation, the inquest hearing and media coverage.
395
Online
9:30am - 4:30pm
1 day
About this course
This course will assist all professionals who attend inquests, including healthcare professionals, prison officers, emergency service professionals, risk managers and lawyers in understanding the functions, powers and duties of the coroner and the scope of the inquest.
It is particularly relevant to mental health nurses, maternity nurses and psychiatrists.
Nurses are frequently key witnesses in coroner's inquests due to their direct patient care responsibilities. Their detailed records and testimonies are vital in determining causes of death. For example in 2006, two nurses faced professional misconduct findings following a patient's death in a Cork hospital. The inquest revealed lapses in care and documentation, leading to suspensions and highlighting the critical nature of proper procedures and record-keeping.
In this course, a lawyer will guide participants on effective statement writing, preparation and presenting oral evidence at an inquest. You will learn through realistic role-plays with discussion and feedback. You will gain confidence in your ability to prepare for and present evidence at an inquest.
Why choose this course
By attending this course you will:
Learn practical skills to handle inquest-related situations, including effective communication, accurate documentation and understanding legal obligations.
Boost your professional development by enhancing your competence and confidence in legal proceedings.
Course syllabus
This course provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the coroner’s inquest process. Participants will gain practical knowledge and skills in:
- The function of the coroner – Understanding the legal role and responsibilities of the coroner in investigating deaths.
- The scope and purpose of the inquest – Clarifying why inquests are held and how they impact you.
- The coroner’s investigation – process and procedure – A step-by-step breakdown of what happens from the reporting of a death to the conclusion of an inquest.
- How to write an excellent statement – Learning to create clear, factual, and legally sound statements that accurately reflect clinical care.
- The procedure at the inquest – What to expect, including the format, questioning, and possible outcomes.
- The role of the expert witness – Understanding when and how expert testimony is used and how to engage with the process.
- Verdicts – Examining the possible findings of an inquest and their implications for healthcare staff.
- Handling the media – Guidance on dealing with media attention sensitively and professionally.
- How to prepare for giving evidence in the coroner’s court – Practical strategies to ensure clarity, accuracy, and professionalism.
- Taking the oath/affirmation with confidence – Ensuring composure and understanding the significance of sworn testimony.
- How to make appropriate use of supporting evidence, documents, and notes – Learning how to refer to and present medical records and reports effectively.
- How to give confident and clear testimony – Techniques to manage nerves, communicate clearly, and respond to questioning appropriately.
Benefits of the course
- Legal awareness & risk management – Helps healthcare professionals understand their legal obligations, reducing the risk of adverse findings.
- Career protection – Equips participants with the skills to provide professional, accurate statements and testimony, safeguarding their reputation.
- Improved communication – Enhances the ability to present evidence clearly and confidently in legal settings.
- Better patient safety & documentation – Reinforces best practices in record-keeping and reporting to prevent issues that may lead to an inquest.
- Confidence in court – Prepares nurses and other healthcare professionals to handle legal proceedings with confidence, reducing stress and uncertainty.
Why is this relevant?
Inquests are increasingly common in Ireland and you may one day be called upon to provide crucial evidence. Proper preparation can mean the difference between a smooth process and one that leads to professional scrutiny or reputational damage.
By completing this course, you will be equipped to navigate coroner’s inquests effectively, ensuring you are prepared for any legal scrutiny while maintaining best practices.
Meet the team – Susie Shine
Solicitor and Director of Training
Susie Shine is a solicitor, and Director of Training with La Touche Training. Susie has been working with La Touche Training since 2008 and has overall responsibility for design, development,...
Read BioPractical training with small groups to ensure quality.
Our training sessions are not lectures—they're practical, interactive experiences. The small group format allows every attendee to ask questions, take part in discussions involving practical exercises and role-plays.
This method of training allows attendees to put the skills learned into practice immediately. Course participants benefit from the focused attention and guidance of an independent expert.
Register to attend:
# SELECTED
| Course Dates | Location | Price | Spaces Left | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21/10/26 i 21/10/2026 09:30 - 16:30 | Zoom Online | €395.00 | 8 |
Learn about the role of the coroner and the investigation process
FAQs
A coroner’s inquest is a formal legal inquiry held to establish the identity of a deceased person and determine how, when, and where the death occurred. Inquests are conducted by a coroner and may involve witness evidence and documentary records.
An inquest may be required where a death is sudden, unexplained, violent, unnatural, or occurs in circumstances requiring further investigation under Irish coronial law.
This course is relevant for healthcare professionals, social care staff, risk managers, legal practitioners, safeguarding personnel, investigators, and public sector employees who may be involved in inquest proceedings.
Healthcare staff may be required to provide reports, disclose records, or give evidence at an inquest. Understanding the process helps professionals prepare appropriately and engage confidently with legal procedures.
The purpose of an inquest is fact-finding rather than assigning civil or criminal liability. The process seeks to establish the circumstances surrounding a death and may identify issues relevant to public safety.
Relevant documentation may include medical records, incident reports, witness statements, care notes, investigation findings, and other records connected to the circumstances of the death.
Preparation typically involves reviewing records carefully, understanding the factual timeline, remaining within professional expertise, and answering questions clearly, honestly, and professionally.
Yes. Inquests may highlight broader concerns relating to healthcare systems, communication failures, procedures, or organisational practices that could help prevent future incidents.
Healthcare professionals must continue to respect patient confidentiality and data protection obligations while complying with lawful disclosure requirements during the inquest process.
Participants typically develop knowledge of coronial procedures, report preparation, evidence presentation, courtroom communication, legal awareness, and managing professional responsibilities during inquest proceedings.
