The new statutory Medical Examiner system and death certification reforms will come into effect on 9 September 2024.
As part of this work, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) have laid the Cremation, Coroners and Notification of Deaths (England and Wales) (amendment) Regulations 2024. The regulations can be found at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2024/668. These regulations – like the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death Regulations 2024 and The Medical Examiners (England) Regulations 2024 that were laid on 15 April 2024 – will come into effect on 9 September 2024.
It is important to emphasise that until 9 September, existing legislation continues to apply.
Q and A
The MoJ have published a Q and A document to help answer questions about the new Medical Examiner and Death Certification system, which can be viewed here.
Stakeholder events
The MOJ are planning to hold monthly roundtable events with stakeholders in the run up to 9 September 2024. The first of these will take place on 17 June at 14:30, and on 19 June at 14:00. To make the most of these meetings we would ask you to raise issues for discussion prior to the meetings with the MoJ using their new e-mail address FuneralSectorBurialsandCremation@justice.gov.uk. This will help them to ensure that colleagues from other government departments can attend if appropriate. They will be sending round invites for the sessions shortly; please note you will only need to attend one of the sessions as the same issues will be discussed on both days.
You may also wish to note that the Royal College of Pathologists will be holding an information event on 11 June 2024. Registration is now open for the free online event, please register at https://www.rcpath.org/event/death-certification-reforms-legislation-update.html. Please share the link with your contacts – all are welcome. The event will be recorded, and a video made available afterwards (no need to register for that).