A new statutory Medical Examiner Service has been rolled out across England and Wales to provide independent scrutiny of deaths, and to give bereaved people a voice.
From 9 September 2024, it became law that all deaths that are not investigated by a coroner will be reviewed by NHS medical examiners before a death can be registered.
The Medical Examiner Service rolled out across the NHS in England from 2019 with the aim of improving death certification and putting bereaved families and friends at the centre of the process. It provides an opportunity for the bereaved to ask questions about the cause of death and discuss the care that their friend or relative received.
Resources
- National Medical Examiner’s guidance for England and Wales
- NHS GM Medical Examiner Service Welcome Pack
- NHS GM Medical Examiner in the community quick guide process
- NHS GM Urgent Release – advice for GPs
- Medical Examiner Referral Primary Care Checklist
