Abstract
The role of Medical Examiner was originally introduced in England and Wales by the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. A key aim is to ensure that concerns about the care of the deceased by families and whistle-blowers are identified and acted upon, to avoid repeated community and hospital-based care scandals. Since 2019 all acute hospital trusts have established their own Medical Examiner Service which is tailored to local needs and systems under the guidance of the National Medical Examiner. Medical Examiners are independent, senior, registered medical practitioners whose role is to ensure accuracy of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, ensure appropriate notification of deaths to His Majesty's Coroners and determine if there are any clinical governance concerns. This is achieved by reviewing the deceased's medical record; speaking to the attending doctor; and speaking to the next of kin. Medical Examiner Officers provide administrative support, service continuity and undertake many Medical Examiner functions by delegated authority. The majority of in-hospital deaths are now scrutinised and the process is rolling out to include all community deaths. It is expected that the process will become statutory by 2024 when every death within England and Wales will be reviewed either by the Medical Examiner or HM Coroner.
Published Version
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