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Starting in September 2024, significant reforms to death certification laws in the UK will enhance the accuracy, quality, and scrutiny of mortality data. These updates aim to streamline the certification process while ensuring that key details about the cause of death are carefully reviewed and documented.
One of the central changes includes the addition of medical examiners who will independently review each Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), adding a level of verification to support attending practitioners and improve public health insights. The new MCCD format now has more detailed sections to record the chain of events leading to death and includes specific fields for information on ethnicity, maternal status, and any medical devices or implants.
These updates will impact clinical practice by improving the precision of death reporting, providing crucial data for national and local health analysis, and ensuring a supportive process for families during bereavement. The following outlines the main changes and their implications for healthcare providers in the UK.
Aspect | Previous Practice | New Practice (from 2024) | Impact on Clinical Practice |
---|---|---|---|
Mandatory Independent Review | Only certain deaths required review by a Medical Examiner or Coroner | All deaths in England and Wales must be reviewed by either a Medical Examiner or Coroner | Ensures all deaths are independently reviewed, adding scrutiny and accuracy to the process |
Attending Practitioner Requirements | Practitioner must have seen the patient within 28 days before or after death | Practitioner only needs to have attended the patient at any point in their lifetime | Easier for practitioners to complete MCCD, removing the need for recent visits |
Issuing Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) | GPs issued MCCDs independently | MCCD is sent to Medical Examiner, who reviews the cause and receives patient records | Practitioners must work with Medical Examiners and ensure patient records are accessible for review |
New MCCD Format | Limited lines for cause of death; no fields for ethnicity, pregnancy, or devices | Includes additional "line 1d" for cause of death, fields for ethnicity, pregnancy status, and medical devices | More detailed recording enhances public health data and aligns with international standards |
Medical Examiner Signature | Practitioner signs and sends MCCD directly to the registrar | Medical Examiner adds their declaration to the MCCD before registrar submission | Adds an extra layer of accountability and verification for causes of death |
Removal of 28-Day Rule | Referral to coroner needed if patient not seen recently by GP | Coroner referral no longer needed based on recent visits alone | Simplifies MCCD process, reducing unnecessary coroner referrals |
Registration Timelines | Death registration deadline was 5 days from the date of death | 5-day limit now starts when registrar receives MCCD from Medical Examiner | Aligns timelines with the review process, potentially allowing more time for accurate certification |
Exceptional Circumstances | Coroner involvement required if attending practitioner unavailable | Medical Examiner may issue MCCD if cause is known and natural; coroner issues form CN1B in these cases | Supports timely certification if the attending practitioner is unavailable |
Electronic Certification | Paper-based death certification | Mandatory electronic death certification | Streamlines the process, enabling faster data entry and reporting |
Cremation Form Changes | Cremation Form 4 required in most cases | Cremation Form 4 removed; new forms (1, 6, and 10) introduced | Simplifies paperwork for cremation, reducing administrative burden on clinicians and families |
Key Impact on GPs in the UK
Aspect | Change | Impact on GPs |
---|---|---|
Death Certificate Issuance | GPs will no longer issue death certificates independently | GPs must now work with Medical Examiners, who verify MCCDs before submission |
New Referral Process | GPs or duty clinicians must contact relatives to gather information for Medical Examiner referral | Adds a new step, requiring GPs to reach out to families, usually within 72 hours |
Sharing Information with Medical Examiners | GPs must share the MCCD with a Medical Examiner before it’s sent to the Registrar | Increases collaboration with Medical Examiners and introduces a step for verification |
Wider Pool of Practitioners for MCCDs | Removal of the requirement to have seen the deceased within a specific timeframe | More practitioners are eligible to complete MCCDs, easing issuance requirements |
Potential Increase in Administrative Work | GPs may need new processes for referrals and information sharing | Likely additional administrative tasks to handle referrals and coordinate with examiners |
Possible Delays in Death Registration | Medical Examiner involvement may extend certification and registration timelines | May result in longer processing times, especially during early stages of implementation |
Reduced Need for Coroner Referrals | Coroner referrals no longer needed solely based on recent patient contact | Streamlines process, reducing unnecessary referrals to the coroner |
The 2024 reforms to the UK death certification process, particularly the removal of Cremation Form 4, are expected to impact GP incomes due to the elimination of payments previously associated with the form.
Removal of Cremation Form 4:
Sharing Patient Records with Medical Examiners:
New Obligations without Payment:
Transition to Mandatory Medical Examiner Review:
No Requirement for Verbal Discussion:
Timeframe for Referral:
Support from Medical Examiners for Complex Cases:
Nationwide and Permanent Change:
References
1. https://www.parkmedical.org.uk/2024/10/02/sept-2024-new-medical-examiner-changes-for-death-certificates/
2. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-death-certification-process
3. https://www.kctrust.co.uk/blog/revolutionising-death-certificates
4. https://portcullis-surgery.co.uk/changes-to-the-death-certification-and-registration-process-effective-from-september-2024/
5. https://www.nafd.org.uk/2024/09/09/death-certification-reforms-in-england-and-wales-go-live-just-after-midnight/
6. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-death-certification-process/an-overview-of-the-death-certification-reforms
7. https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/national-medical-examiners-guidance-for-england-and-wales/
8. https://www.reddit.com/r/doctorsUK/comments/1fnlzwd/cremation_form_and_fee_removed_for_doctors/
9. https://www.gov.scot/publications/funeral-expense-assistance-scotland-amendment-regulations-2024-business-regulatory-impact-assessment/
10. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cremation-forms-and-guidance
11. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/medical-practitioners-guidance-on-completing-cremation-forms