The RCP has responded to a report by H.M. Assistant Coroner for Inner South London, Philip Barlow, on the Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD), following the inquest into the death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah.
In response to the report, Professor Andrew Goddard, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said:
“The tragic death of 9 year old Ella is a reminder of how serious the consequences of not tackling air pollution can be. We strongly support the recommendation from the coroner for government to set legally binding targets for PM2.5 based on WHO guidelines to reduce the number of deaths from air pollution in the UK. That must be a priority for the Environment Bill when it returns to Parliament in the next session.
“We also recognise the coroner’s concern that the adverse effects of air pollution on health are not being sufficiently communicated to patients and their carers by medical and nursing professionals. We of course take their recommendation very seriously and will respond fully, laying out the action we feel is required.”