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Written question asked by Lord Kamall (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 April 2026. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Monday, 30 March 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.


Eating Disorders: Death Certificates

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent guidance they have issued to medical practitioners about the requirement to record eating disorders as a contributory or underlying cause on medical certificates of cause of death.

Answer

The National Medical Examiner produces the Good Practice Series, a topical collection of focused summary documents, designed to be easily read and digested by busy front-line staff, including medical practitioners, with links to further reading, guidance, and support. The collection is published online by the Royal College of Pathologists.

In June 2022, the National Medical Examiner’s Good Practice Series No. 7 - Mental health and eating disorders was published, and a copy is attached. The paper explores the role medical examiners can play in identifying links between mental health disorders and causes of death, notifying others when lessons can be learned so that care of future patients with mental health conditions is improved, and ensuring medical certificates of cause of death are completed appropriately.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL15913
Session
2024-26
Attachment
Additional Document
Subjects
Eating disorders Death certificates
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk