Consultant involvement in death certificates
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.
- The Certification of Death (Scotland) Act 2011 (key sections in force from 13 May 2015) reformed death certification in Scotland. The Act established the Death Certification Review Service (DCRS), which randomly reviews approximately 12% of all death certificates for accuracy (Certification of Death (Scotland) Act 2011 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2011/11/contents)).
- Medical reviewers, employed by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, scrutinise sampled death certificates. The system is designed to improve the accuracy and reliability of death certification without imposing fees on bereaved families.
- While the Act does not mandate that the consultant in charge certifies the cause of death, the DCRS review process provides quality assurance that encourages senior medical involvement in certification.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedSection 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.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
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.