Medical examiners will look at causes of all deaths not
investigated by the coroner to help prevent criminal activity and
poor practice
Reforms to improve death certification welcomed by
medical practitioners, coroners and registrars
Bereaved families to receive greater transparency and be
given the opportunity to raise concerns
New measures to help protect the public and support bereaved
families will be introduced in a revamp of how deaths are
certified.
Medical examiners will strengthen safeguards by scrutinising how
people have died prior to registration and make sure the right
deaths are referred to coroners.
The reforms to certification have widespread support from medical
practitioners, coroners and registrars and have been agreed in
partnership with them.
Medical examiners are senior medical practitioners and will:
- Seek to confirm the proposed cause of death by the medical
doctor and the overall accuracy of the medical certificate of
cause of death;
- Discuss the proposed cause of death with those bereaved and
establish if they have questions or any concerns relating to
their loved one;
- Support appropriate referrals to senior coroners;
- Identify cases for further review to ensure best practice.
These reforms to death certification will include changes to
practices for multiple professions such as medical practitioners,
coroners and registrars, as well as all those involved in the
process of officially certifying the deceased.
Minister said:
“It has taken time to get this right, but it was vital we had the
backing of all involved in the process in order to make sure it
protects people and supports bereaved families in the way they
deserve.
“Although abuse of the system is rare, what we are announcing
today will be a significant step in preventing failures in the
future.
“I want to thank all those involved in the process – from medical
professionals, to coroners, to registrars – for helping this
government fulfil its promise of introducing a safer system of
death certification.”
Medical examiners have already reviewed 640,000 deaths in
hospital trusts since 2019 as of September 2023.
These reforms will apply to all deaths not investigated by a
coroner in other locations and put this on a statutory footing.
NHS trusts will host the medical examiners with 126 offices in
England.
Draft regulations and communications have been published to help
medical practitioners, local registration services, coroners and
the public, understand how the new legal requirements will work,
and will help ensure frontline services are ready.
Legislation will be laid in early 2024. From April 2024 the new
statutory regulations will come into force in England and Wales.
National Medical Examiner Dr Alan Fletcher said:
“The NHS is pleased the government is putting the work of medical
examiners delivering independent scrutiny of all non-coronial
deaths in England and Wales on a statutory footing in April 2024.
“As the medical examiner system lead, I have witnessed the care
medical examiners take to support bereaved people, increase
safeguards, and identify opportunities to improve care.
“Medical examiners ensure that if bereaved people have concerns
after their loss, these can be raised as easily as possible,
which is why it is great to see this progress towards a
comprehensive system.”
Dr Suzy Lishman, Senior Medical Advisor on Medical
Examiners for the Royal College of Pathologists, said:
“As the lead college for medical examiners, the Royal College of
Pathologists welcomes the publication of the draft regulations on
the long-awaited death certification reforms.
“Medical examiners are already scrutinising the majority of
deaths in England and Wales, identifying concerns and helping
improve care for patients and support for bereaved people.
“The move to a statutory system in 2024 will further strengthen
those safeguards, ensuring that all deaths are reviewed and the
voices of all bereaved people are heard.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
