Drew Greaves-Pimblett
8 Jan 2026 · Coroner Anita Bhardwaj · Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley
The coroner's concerns
1. lack of guidance for call handlers on breathing assessment and cold body assessment
“there appears to be a gap in the national pathways for call handlers. Consideration as to further guidance and assistance to call handlers on probing questioning for fundamental aspects such as breathing and where and how to best assess how cold the body is. If someone is not breathing to ask how they know and/or techniques such as head to the chest, where to take a pulse etc. for the call handler to make a more informed decision as to whether someone is breathing and if CPR is required. When a call is made to NWAS, often it is by someone not thinking straight and so specific questions on breathing and general presentation may be of assistance in assessing the call.”