Newsflash date: 22 August 2024
Dear colleague
As you’ll be aware the Medical Examiner system for death certification starts imminently on the 9th September.
The following is a useful summary:
https://www.redwhale.co.uk/content/the-medical-examiner-system?pearl=true
I attended a meeting this morning with the local Medical Examiners and ICB. It was stated that there had been positive engagement in the run up from the majority of our 105 practices. However, it was estimated that there remained non-engagement as follows:
- NNUH catchment – 24 practices
- JPUH catchment – 6 practices
- QEH catchment – 15 practices
As the Medical Examiner (M.E) system will be set into law, we advise you to respond to communications from your local M.E. office so that you can be fully prepared.
Attached is the flowchart which has been proposed locally. Your LMC at its May meeting agreed that ‘minor concerns unrelated to the death’ feedback was not statutory and should therefore be removed, particularly as most practices already have mechanisms for death reviews, clinical governance and significant event analysis. The M.E.s reassured us that they would usually suggest that the families raise such concerns, but if the latter requested them to do so, they would and that this would be constructive and unbureaucratic.
Once up and running, please as ever feedback to us at your LMC any difficulties or issues that arise. The M.E.s have assured us that they understand the pressures that General Practice locally is facing and will make every effort to keep the administrative burden of this to a minimum.
Best wishes
Wendy
Dr Wendy Outwin, Chair and Medical Lead
Norfolk & Waveney Local Medical Committee
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.norfolkwaveneylmc.org.uk
Representing all General Practitioners in Norfolk and Great Yarmouth & Waveney
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