Information for bereaved friends and relatives
If you have been referred to this link, you have experienced the death of someone close to you. On behalf of the Practice, we would like to extend our sincere condolences to you at this time.
The medical examiner service is here to support you through the death of a loved one. medical examiners are here to answer any questions you may have about the events surrounding a death. We will try to help you understand what happened and why. We are also able to raise any concerns you may have about patient care and communication.
Who is the medical examiner?
The medical examiner system is a national government program, which has been established in hospitals and is now also beginning to review deaths that occur outside of the hospital, at home, in care homes, hospices and other community settings. The medical examiner is a senior doctor working within the hospital trust, who is independent and has not been involved in the patient’s care. Our practice is involved with the medical examiner service.
The service is a nationally mandated process for reviewing deaths that occur in hospital and in our community. This is a new step in the certification of deaths which will ensure the accuracy of the cause of death and highlight any cause for concern regarding the care which has been provided.
How this may affect you
With the assistance of trained medical examiner officers and in collaboration with the GP overseeing your friend or relative’s care, they aim to review all deaths to establish a cause of death prior to the issuing of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).
What happens next?
Following the death of your loved one, the Salisbury medical examiner service will be informed by the GP who will be completing the MCCD. The On-Duty medical examiner will review your friend or relative’s medical records and they, or one of their officers, will then contact you.
This will be a routine telephone call which will give you the opportunity to discuss the care and treatment your friend or relative has received and share any feedback you may have. The medical examiner officers are able to answer any questions you may have on further practical steps you need to follow in the days to come.
Whilst we endeavour to review each case as soon as possible, some unavoidable delays may occur. In some cases, the medical examiner or the responsible doctor may need to speak to the coroner before the MCCD can be issued and you will be informed if this is the case.
The medical examiner and their staff are here to listen to your questions and concerns, provide answers if possible and, if necessary, pass them on to someone who can investigate further.
More information
We understand this is likely to be a difficult time for many people and speaking to someone is completely your choice. If you are not sure of what to expect, you can contact the medical examiner team on 01722 336262 extension 5429 and ask for more information – they are trained to help people during these difficult family times and will be very understanding. Alternatively, you can email them on sft.medicalexamineroffice@nhs.net