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Written question asked by Rupert Lowe (Restore Britain) on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 July 2026. It was answered by Preet Kaur Gill (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 July 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Death Certificates

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NHS clinicians, medical examiners, coroners or registrars raised concerns about the operational impact, workload implications or feasibility of the death certification and registration reforms, during their development and since their implementation in September 2024; and if he will publish a summary of those concerns.

Answer

The Department has worked extensively with healthcare professionals and other stakeholders on the death certification reforms.

The Department’s formal consultation in March 2016 sought direct views from National Health Service clinicians, medical examiners, coroners, registrars, regulatory bodies, funeral industry, cremation and burial authorities, faith groups, and the public, regarding the feasibility of proposals for changes to the death certification process in England and Wales. The June 2018 consultation response demonstrated that there was widespread support for the aims of the reforms and for the introduction of medical examiners.

The Department and NHS England have continued to work closely with these groups to support the introduction of the medical examiner system, and post-implementation monitoring following the introduction of the reforms on 9 September 2024.

The Department also conducted impact assessments, published in 2018, 2022, and 2024, that demonstrated that any new cost to doctors or business from implementing the statutory system would be minimal or zero.

The National Medical Examiner publishes an annual report setting out how medical examiners have exercised their functions. These reports reflect on how the statutory system continues to be implemented smoothly, reporting unprecedented reductions in unnecessary referrals to coroners, a 99.7% reduction of uncertified deaths, and ensuring the bereaved remain at the heart of the reforms, with half a million bereaved taking up the opportunity to ask questions, and raise concerns with a medical examiner in 2025.

The Department is monitoring the introduction of the reforms.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
14598
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Disclosure of information Death certificates
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk