Changes to Death Certification from 9th September 2024

Sarahspangles

I heard a briefing on this (due to my work role) and thought ‘I should mention this in the forum on MSE’.

Because it’s new, the information even on trusted sources online is still being updated and if someone ‘learned’ the process when they have lost one parent or relative, it could be disconcerting to find the process has changed, and it’s a stressful enough time.

This link seems to cover the changes in a comprehensive way. Obviously people need to consult a local version, possibly one from the hospital trust in their area https://www.asph.nhs.uk/changes-to-death-certification-from-9th-september-2024.

I think the significant change is that the timescale before a medical certificate is released to the Registrar may be a little longer than the current process. But the clock does not start ticking on the ‘five days within which to register a death’ until it has been sent to the Registrar. The other difference is in the documents issued, and the link includes examples. 

Fermion

It's been in place in pilot areas for quite a while. It was in place in Stratford-on-Avon when my Mother-in-law died in Nov 2023. in our case it actually took 10 working days to get the MCCD issued - due to incompetence by the admin staff at the GP practice. The Medical Examiner refused to sign the MCCD because my Mother-in-Law's body had only been seen by a locum GP - so he insisted her own GP view the body at the Funeral Directors before he would issue the MCCD. Then later we found that it had been issued with incorrect name on the MCCD which meant the crematorium refused to allow the cremation. We had to get a new Death Certificate issued by the General Registrars Office in London (circa 1 week) with an alias inserted that corresponded to the name on the MCCD.

GP admin staff will need a lot of training

Sarahspangles

Fermion said:

GP admin staff will need a lot of training

The briefing I heard was delivered by a GP to peers, so hopefully this is happening everywhere.