Death Certification Reform: Introduction of Medical Examiners

I wish to inform the House that the Government will today lay before Parliament regulations which will reform death certification in England and Wales. Under these reforms all deaths will legally become subject to either a medical examiner’s scrutiny or a coroner’s investigation. The changes coming into force on 9 September 2024 will put all the medical examiner system’s obligations, duties and responsibilities on a statutory footing, and ensure they are recognised by law.

The changes will provide greater transparency on the circumstances surrounding a death. Medical examiners will always offer a conversation to the bereaved, providing an opportunity for them to raise questions or concerns with a senior doctor not involved in the care of the deceased. This will help deter criminal activity, improve practice and ensure the right deaths are referred to coroners for further investigation.

The introduction of medical examiners is part of a broader set of reforms to death certification, coronial and registration processes which will allow for the efficient flow of information between medical practitioners, medical examiners, coroners and registrars in the new system.

This is the most significant set of reforms to death certification in 70 years and we have allowed additional time to prepare for implementation. We are working closely with our partners in government, local registration services, coronial services and the health service to ensure that the appropriate operational processes are in place to deliver these changes in September 2024. There will be further communication regarding legislative changes and operational guidance between now and September 2024.

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