R68 Response Accepted AI-assessed

Consultant involvement in death certificates

Recommendation

Health Boards should ensure that where a death occurs in hospital the consultant in charge of the patients care is involved in completion of the death certificate wherever practicable.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the Scottish Parliament, 13 May 2015, the Certification of Death (Scotland) Act 2011 came into force on 13 May 2015, directly addressing the statutory reform of death certification. According to the available evidence, this legislation is supported by the Death Certification Review Service (DCRS) within Healthcare Improvement Scotland, which conducts random reviews of approximately 12% of all death certificates to ensure accuracy and consultant involvement where practicable. No further published evidence has been identified since 2015.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.gov.scot, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation requires implementation across many organisations. The assessment reflects central policy response, not adoption in individual organisations.
Jurisdiction
Scotland
Response
Accepted
Accepted Scottish Government
18 Jun 2015

Section 4.1 of the Scottish Government's response introduces the chapter as focusing on professional standards and measures to govern death certification, including recommendation 68. However, the "Our current position" subsections within the provided text do not contain specific passages detailing policies or actions regarding consultant involvement in the completion of death certificates. The text primarily addresses general professional regulation and workforce matters.

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Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Confirmed Completed
13 May 2015
Scottish Parliament legislation

Certification of Death (Scotland) Act 2011 came into force 13 May 2015. Death Certification Review Service (DCRS) within Healthcare Improvement Scotland randomly reviews approximately 12% of all death certificates. Level 1 reviews completed within one working day. Level 2 reviews involve thorough review of all clinical records.

View detailed findings

Statutory reform of death certification directly addresses this recommendation. DCRS provides independent scrutiny ensuring consultant involvement and accuracy of death certificates.

Certification of Death (Scotland) Act 2011: Statu… View Source
Source
Inquiry Vale of Leven Inquiry
Report The Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry Report 24 Nov 2014
View Source
Responsible Bodies
NHS Health Boards (Scotland) Primary
Themes & Tags
Misleading Information to Coroner Coroner family information gaps Medical Death Certification
Recommendation age 11.3 yrs
Last formal update 3932 days ago