Writing Witness Statements, Reports and Giving Evidence UK
Course Content
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Section 1: Why Healthcare Professionals Give Evidence
1.1 The Settings in Which You May Be Asked
1.2 Witness of Fact or Expert Witness?
1.3 Your Professional Duties When Giving Evidence
1.4 Getting Support Before You Start
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Section 2: Records: The Foundation of Good Evidence
2.1 Why Contemporaneous Records Matter
2.2 Reviewing the Records Before You Write
2.3 Confidentiality and Requests for Information
2.4 Never Alter the Record
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Section 3: Writing a Clear and Accurate Witness Statement
3.1 Structure and Format
3.2 Fact, Recollection and Usual Practice
3.3 Plain, Fair and Professional Language
3.4 Checking, Amending and Signing
3.5 Differences Across the UK Nations
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Section 4: Professional Reports and Expert Evidence
4.1 Reports Written in a Professional Capacity
4.2 The Expert’s Overriding Duty
4.3 Structuring an Expert Report
4.4 Common Pitfalls in Reports
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Section 5: Inquests and Fatal Accident Inquiries
5.1 The Coroner’s Inquest in England and Wales
5.2 Writing a Statement for the Coroner
5.3 Prevention of Future Deaths Reports
5.4 Scotland and Northern Ireland
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Section 6: Giving Oral Evidence
6.1 Preparing to Attend
6.2 On the Day
6.3 Answering Questions Well
6.4 Cross-Examination and Remote Hearings
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Section 7: Regulatory, Employment and Internal Processes
7.1 Fitness to Practise Proceedings
7.2 Internal Investigations and Employment Tribunals
7.3 Patient Safety Learning Responses
7.4 Ethics Across Every Setting
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Section 8: Conclusion and Key Points
Conclusion and Key Points
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Section 9: References and Quick Reference
References and Further Reading
Quick-Reference Guide
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Section 10: Reflection
Your reflective account