Rollout of new death certification system could be delayed again

A new system requiring GPs to agree death certificates with a medical examiner is unlikely to launch at the beginning of April, it has emerged.

The system, which will see medical examiners (MEs) providing independent scrutiny of all deaths in the community which are not taken to the coroner, had previously been due to come in from April last year.

However, it was delayed by one year to allow time for Parliament to introduce the necessary supporting legislation and, according to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), this has yet to happen.

A spokesperson told Pulse that the Government’s intention is to still introduce secondary legislation ‘from April’ to implement death certification reform. However, it could not confirm the exact date the system will launch and said it would provide an update before the end of March.  

Nottingham GP Dr Irfan Malik told Pulse that local GPs and practice staff ‘seem to be aware there is a delay’ but  have had ‘no official emails’ or communication confirming the delays.

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Source: Pulse, 20 March 2024