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Death Certificates

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

14599

Session

2026-27

Grouped for answer

Yes

Subjects

Religion Death certificates

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk