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Medical examiner service

This page gives information about the legal processes and arrangements that are necessary after death.

The two practical tasks that you need to do are:

  • Talk with the medical examiner office regarding the medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD)
  • Obtain a death certificate.


What is a medical examiner?

The role of medical examiner is a nationwide system which has been developed within all hospital trusts and recently within the community setting.

A medical examiner is an independent senior consultant/doctor working at West Suffolk Hospital to make sure that the information contained on the medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD) is accurate and that referrals to the coroner are performed in a timely and appropriate manner.

Their first responsibility is to the deceased and their next of kin. They make sure that the law is applied correctly so that referrals to the coroner are right first time, every time and that there is accuracy in the causes of death.

The medical examiner has to be independent and therefore will not have been involved in the care of the deceased. They will review the care records and along with the treating doctor, ascertain a cause of death to the best of their knowledge and belief, to enable the death certificate to be written. Where a cause of death cannot be ascertained or, if during review it is found to be required, the medical examiner and referring doctor will make a referral to the coroner.


Medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD)

A medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD) is required to register a death.

If the death of your loved one needs to be referred to the coroner, the medical examiner officers will tell you about this and the process which will need to be followed.

For all deaths that don’t need to be referred to the coroner, the treating doctor will complete the MCCD and send this to the medical examiner office, together with any supporting paperwork.

The MCCD and health records will then be reviewed by an independent doctor, known as a medical examiner.

There is also an opportunity for you to raise any concerns you have regarding care or treatment or ask questions about the cause of death.

This is a new, official process for all deaths which do not need a coroner.

Once the medical examiner has reviewed the MCCD and is satisfied with what is written, the medical examiner officer will call you to go through the cause of death. If you have no questions or concerns, the medical examiner officer will then send the MCCD over to the registrar on your behalf.

You will then be able to make an appointment a couple of hours later to register your loved one’s death. 


Booking an appointment with the registrar

You will need to book an appointment to register your loved one’s death.

Suffolk

Suffolk County Council www.suffolk.gov.uk/births-deaths-and-ceremonies/how-to-register-a-death

Call the Bury St Edmunds office for appointments at any Suffolk office: 0345 607 2060.

You will be asked to give some information to assist the registrar in preparing the registration.

 

Norfolk

Norfolk County Council www.norfolk.gov.uk/births-ceremonies-and-deaths/deaths/register-a-death

Call 0344 800 8020.

You will be asked to give some information to assist the registrar in preparing the registration.

 

What to take to the registrar’s office

  • Full name of the deceased (and, where applicable, maiden name and all other names)
  • Date and place of birth
  • Most recent occupation
  • Usual home address
  • Whether the deceased was in receipt of a pension or other social security benefits
  • Date and place of death (this will be on the medical certificate)
  • Date of birth of the surviving widow/widower
  • NHS medical card, if available.

 

Other considerations

You should consider taking official documents with the required information on them (for example, birth or marriage certificates, passports, etc.) to make sure that the information you provide is accurate.

Changing details after a registration has been completed can be difficult and will cost a lot of money.

Along with providing the official death certificate, the registrar may either give you the ‘green form’ or send this direct to the funeral director (this depends on which funeral director has been chosen).

This is the committal certificate which allows the funeral to go ahead and must be given to your chosen funeral director as soon as is practical.

You may ask for as many death certificates as you wish, but remember that the registrar charges a fee for each one.

Current prices for the certified death certificate are given on the Suffolk and Norfolk County Council websites. When settling the financial affairs of the deceased, you will find that a few extra copies of the certificate are useful.

 

Contact the team

Medical examiner office
West Suffolk Hospital
telephone: 01284 713647 Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm
(secure answerphone at all other times)