Guidance for reporting a death to the Coroner
These guidelines have been issued by Cardiff and Vale NHS trust
All unnatural/ suspicious and/or unexplained deaths that occur on PICU between 07.30 and 15.30 weekdays (15.00 Fridays) must be reported immediately to HM Coroner, and by 07.30 the next working day if the death occurs outside these hours.
Reporting of child deaths can only be undertaken by a Consultant or doctor of an equivalent grade.
Coroner's office:
02920 527431
02920 527433
02920 528020
There is a duty to formally report deaths in the following categories:
- the cause of death is unknown
- it cannot readily be certified as being due to natural causes
- there are any suspicious circumstances or history of violence
- the death may be linked to an accident (whenever it occurred)
- there is any question of self-neglect or neglect by others
- the death has occurred or the illness arisen during or shortly after detention in police custody or prison
- the patient was detained under the Mental Health Act
- the death is linked with a miscarriage or abortion
- the death might have been contributed to by the actions of the patient (such as a history of drug or solvent abuse, self-injury or overdose)
- the death could be due to industrial disease or related to employment
- the death occurred during an operation or before full recovery from the effects of an anaesthetic or was in any way related to the anaesthetic (in any event a death within 24 hours should normally be referred). It is advisable to report any death to the Coroner when the word 'operated' is going to be recorded on the death certificate
- the death may be related to a medical procedure or treatment whether invasive or not
- the death may be due to lack of medical care
- there are any other unusual or disturbing features to the case
- the death occurs within 24 hours of admission to hospital (unless the admission was purely for terminal care)
- it may be wise to report any death where there is an allegation of medical mismanagement
This is not an exhaustive list, and reflects local practice rather than statutory requirements
THe flowing information should be to hand on making the referral:
- Contact number
- Responsible consultant, and their contact number
- Deceased's full name
- Full address
- Date of Birth
- Hospital Number
- Date/Time of death
- Place of Death
- Date/Time of any formal identification and by whom and where
- Name and address of GP
- Deceased's next of kin including contact telephone number.
- Summary of the circumstances leading up to the patient's death including likely cause of death.
Information supplied to the coroner should not be placed with the deceased's case notes