Changes to Death Registration from September 2024
In September 2024, the process for registering a death in England and Wales changed. These updates are important for families and patients, and aim to make the system more accurate. Here’s a simple guide to help you understand what this means.
1. Independent Review of All Deaths
When someone dies, a medical examiner or a coroner will now check every death. This review is done to make sure the cause of death is correct. It also gives families a chance to ask questions if they have concerns about their loved one’s care.
2. Death Certificates Will Be Reviewed
After the doctor completes a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), a medical examiner reviews it. Once approved, the certificate is sent to the registrar, who officially records the death. This extra step helps ensure accuracy.
3. What This Means for Families
Once the medical examiner finishes the review, the family or representative of the deceased will be notified. After that, you can arrange to officially register the death. This needs to happen within five days of the death being confirmed.
Gateshead Council: How to Register a Death
4. More Time for Registration
Because of the new checks, it may take a little longer to register a death than it used to. However, this process ensures that all deaths are reviewed thoroughly, which helps improve the accuracy of death certificates.
5. Who Can Register the Death?
Under the new rules, the deceased person’s partner or their legal representative can now register the death. This change allows more people to help with this important task.
6. Simplified Cremation Process
If the person who passed away is being cremated, the medical examiner will now handle everything. This replaces the previous check done by a different medical referee, making the process simpler.
Why These Changes Matter
These updates help make sure that the cause of death is correct and give families more support during a difficult time.
These changes are designed to make the death registration process smoother and more transparent for everyone involved.