Information to provide to families/those important to the patient
‘Someone I care about has died (Hospital or Community). What do I do next?’
• The staff members’ role is ensuring that written information is given in a supportive way.
• Provide families/carers with the appropriate bereavement information pack, ‘Someone I care about has died: What do I do next?’. In Hospital, a quiet space should be located to allow the family to receive information and ask appropriate questions.
• Point out relevant numbers where appropriate e.g.
Medical Examiners and/or General Office
• Ensure the correct nominated next of kin details are documented on the electronic patient record
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Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
The Medical Examiner Officer will contact the nominated point of contact directly by phone after the death has occurred (usually within 72 working hours). They will advise when the MCCD has been completed and electronically sent to the Registry office. The Medical Examiner will advise when a face to face appointment with the Registrar can be arranged.
Medical Examiners are senior NHS doctors who, after completing specialist training, work part-time in this role. Their job is to give an independent view of causes of death and the care provided (except which have to be investigated by a coroner).
Medical Examiners and Medical Examiners Officers offer families and carers of the person who died an opportunity to ask questions or raise any concerns about the causes of death or about the care the person received before their death.
Please note, if the death is referred to the Coroner there will be a delay in the certificate being issued. The Medical Examiner will guide the bereaved families through this process.
Medical Examiner Office
01423 559274 (during office hours only excluding Bank Holidays).
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What delays may a staff member face around completion of MCCD?
Sometimes there are unavoidable delays in the issuing of the MCCD. In these circumstances the person’s body cannot be released immediately and a delay may be expected.
The main causes of such delays are:
• When the death takes place at the weekend or a public holiday. Staff will endevour at all times to assist in the fulfilling of any particular religious requirements families or carers may have in relation to funeral practices. If families or carers need to proceed quickly in the hospital, ward staff should contact the clinical site manager to seek further assistance.
• When the death is reported to the Coroner
• When the funeral is to take place out of England or Wales. An ‘Out of England’ order will need to be issued to you by the Coroner before proceeding. A ‘Free from Infection’ Certificate must be issued by the hospital prior to transportation. The funeral director can arrange this.
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How to register the death:
Death can only be registered by the following people:
• A relative.
• Someone who was present at the death.
• An occupier of the house where the death occurred or official from the public building where the death occurred eg. the hospital.
• The person making the arrangements with the funeral director.
Harrogate Register Office
Bilton House
31 Park Parade
Harrogate HG1 5AG
Book an appointment once the MCCD has been completed. 01609 780 780
www.northyorks.gov.uk/death
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What information do bereaved relatives need to register the death?
In addition to the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, the registrar will ask about:
• Dates and places of birth and death.
• Full name and marital status.
• Home address.
• Last occupation (even if retired).
• If married – the date of birth of the surviving partner.
• If female – maiden name, husband’s full name and occupation. The Registrar will then issue two forms:
• A green form for the Funeral Director
• A white form for the Department of Work and Pensions (if needed)
There is no charge for registering a death however there is a charge for additional certified copies of the death certificate. Certified copies will be needed to send to banks, building societies, insurance companies etc. as most organisations will not accept photocopies.
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