Preventable Deaths Tracker (learning to prevent future deaths)

4WardEverUK • 8 July 2023

source: Preventable Deaths Tracker

first published: June 2023

Image Credit: Jack Moreh at www.FreeRangeStock.com


One in five deaths are preventable every year. But, less than 1% have a coroners’ Prevention of Future Deaths report (PFD) written.


PFDs are written by coroners and sent to individuals or organisations that have the power to act. Those that receive PFDs must respond to the coroner within 56 days outlining actions taken, proposed or provide an explanation for inaction.


However, there is no mechanism to ensure that responses are received, actions are taken, and lessons are learnt to prevent future deaths.


The Preventable Deaths Tracker is trying to change this.

See the database here >

The team

This project was founded by Dr Georgia Richards in 2020 with support from a team of academics, clinicians and coroners from the University of Oxford, the University of Birmingham, and London.


The team has been undertaken research on coroners’ Prevention of Future Deaths reports (PFDs) and acted as expert witnesses in coronial courts and other legal cases related to PFDs for decades.

Preventable Deaths Tracker's work

"Our work spans three areas, including 1) research, 2) education, and 3) communication.


"We design studies to answer important questions for public health and safety. We write scientific reports and academic publications, with more than 20 published to date.


"We conduct training for users of the Preventable Deaths Database, the writing of PFDs, and advise on digital processes to improve the PFD system."


Read full article here >

share this article on social media

Calendar
by 4WardEverUK 24 December 2025
Learn more about the history of racial injustice by checking out the Equal Justice Initiative's online calendar, which features a different historical event each day.
Gaza refugee camp
by 4WardEverUK 24 December 2025
Although “significant restrictions and impediments” continue to hamper humanitarian operations in Gaza, teams are still responding to the population’s ongoing needs.
woman weeps in jail cell
by 4WardEverUK 22 December 2025
Right cross the world, incarcerated pregnant women are very often held in deplorable conditions, leading some to miscarry or give birth alone inside a cell, say campaigners.
Courtroom
by 4WardEverUK 15 December 2025
Senior Metropolitan Police officers stopped an undercover officer from revealing to the Macpherson public inquiry that the force had spied on the family of Stephen Lawrence during the 1990s.
Marcia Rigg, United Families & Friends Campaign
by 4WardEverUK 15 December 2025
In this powerful episode of Decolonial Dispatch, host Mohammed dives into the critical issue of racism and police brutality, ignited by a recent BBC Panorama expose on police misconduct.
shoppers with their bags full
by 4WardEverUK 9 December 2025
You can easily help raise money for the fund by shopping online for food, DIY, movies, clothing or items via over 8,000 brands including Amazon, Western Union, eBay and many other outlets.
More Articles