Register a Death

What To Do When Someone Dies

Please see the government website for advice on what to do after someone dies

A new statutory medical examiner system rolled out across England and Wales to provide independent scrutiny of deaths, and to give bereaved people a voice. From 9 September 2024 all deaths in any health setting that are not investigated by a coroner will be reviewed by NHS medical examiners.

Medical examiner offices in England are based at local NHS hospitals (acute trusts and a small number of specialist trusts). They are staffed by a team of medical examiners, supported by medical examiner officers.

The GP surgery’s role is to notify the medical examiner’s office (and the coroner’s office where applicable) of all deaths within 2 working days.

If the referral and MCCD are sent to the medical examiner’s office and the medical examiners scrutiny does not highlight any concerns, they will contact the relatives within 24-48 hours after receiving the paperwork.