By Carole Dennett
More than 30 bereaved Islanders gathered on Saturday to share their experiences of problems with the Isle of Wight Coronial Service. Others, unable to attend, asked to be kept informed of the meeting’s outcomes.
Both Island MPs – Joe Robertson (IW East) and Richard Quigley (IW West) – jointly led the meeting, supported by staff members offering help to those affected. Attendees described the emotional and practical toll of prolonged delays in securing inquests, with most waiting years for closure.
Concerns were raised about the increasing use of Section 9C procedures, where inquests are concluded using written evidence alone – without hearings or witness examination. Families reported receiving large volumes of technical medical information and being given only days to respond, despite years of prior silence.
Criticism was directed at the coroner, Caroline Sumeray, with accounts of insensitive treatment and poor communication. One woman described feeling criminalised while giving evidence; another said her barrister was shocked by the conduct of proceedings. Letters and calls reportedly went unanswered for years with key legal paperwork incorrectly completed.
The financial impact was also highlighted, with delays in issuing death certificates causing serious legal and financial complications, such as being unable to deal with mortgages. Some feared that inadequate scrutiny of hospital and other deaths could mean missed opportunities to learn from mistakes.
Mr Robertson and Mr Quigley acknowledged the challenges, noting that coroners are judicial office holders and not directly employed – making complaints complex and they must be routed through the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office, which some had found difficult to navigate. Questions were asked about why the IW Council had not signposted people to the official route had when they were contacted about complaints. Both MPs pledged continued support.
One attendee offered to co-ordinate future meetings for mutual support and help. Anyone wishing to take part in those can contact the IW Observer on 221050 (option 1) or email newsdesk@iwobserver.co.uk, and we will pass on your details.
The meeting was organised by the IW Observer following widespread public concern and reader complaints received after we reported on some of the problems at the coroner office.