Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Bereavement Guidance Leaflet

Information for bereaved family, friends and carers

Bereavement support and guidance during the Coronavirus outbreak Medicine – The Bereavement & Donation Team

Introduction At this time of sadness we express to you our sympathy and we are here to offer our support.

When someone we know dies, it can be overwhelming for those who need to organise and make decisions regarding what happens next. It can be very difficult to retain information during a time of distress, so this booklet has been designed to offer you practical information and advice.

We hope you find this booklet useful as you begin to think about and make arrangements for the coming weeks.

Useful contact numbers Preston Bereavement Centre: 01772 522258 Chorley General Office: 01257 245285 The Bereavement & Donation Nursing Team: 01772 523730

The Bereavement and Donation Team In the days following the death of your loved one a member of the Bereavement and Donation Team will contact you. All team members will be able to answer any questions you may have and will offer you practical advice and support.

The Bereavement and Donation clinical team are available every day between 9am and 5pm. If you have any unanswered questions or concerns, wish to discuss the next steps to take, or would like to know more about the support in your local area, please contact the team on 01772 523730.

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What happens next?

In the current climate, we have put measures in place to protect you, your loved one, and the general public. The following steps will be taken following the death of your loved one:   

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Your loved one will be transferred from the clinical area to the hospital Mortuary, where they will be cared for with dignity and respect The Bereavement team will be speaking to the medical staff that cared for your loved one and asking them to complete a Medical Certificate for Cause of Death Once you feel able to, please contact the Bereavement administrative staff to enquire about the completion of a Medical Certificate for Cause of Death. If your loved one died at Royal Preston Hospital, please contact 01772 522258. If your loved one died at Chorley District Hospital, please contact 01257 245285. The offices are open Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 4.00pm. Please note that the Chorley office is closed between 12.30pm and 1.00pm. You will be asked which funeral director, if any, you wish to instruct, and if the funeral service will be a burial or cremation service. This is to ensure that the right documents are completed so that we do not hold up any arrangements you are making Once the Medical Certificate for Cause of Death has been completed, the Bereavement team will send this to the Lancashire County Council Register Office on your behalf. You do not need to attend the hospital to collect this certificate.

You will receive a call from a team member to inform you that this has been sent to the Registrars, and that they will call you to arrange an appointment to register your loved ones death. This appointment will be conducted over the telephone.

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Once you have had this telephone appointment your loved one’s Death Certificate will be sent to you by recorded delivery. You can request as many copies as you feel you need. Please note that there is a charge incurred for each certificate, the registrars will be able to inform you further about this The Register Office will instruct the funeral home of your choice that they can now take over your loved one’s care and will send them the appropriate documents. The funeral director will arrange to collect your loved one from the hospital mortuary

A member of the Bereavement & Donation Nursing Team will attempt to contact you within 48 hours after your loved one has died. They will take you through all of the next steps and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Frequently asked questions As things are changing constantly in the current environment, you may have a number of questions about the coming days. Below are some questions that have been asked: Can I visit my loved one in the Mortuary?

Understandably, many people wish to spend time with their loved ones whilst they are being cared for in the hospital mortuary. Sadly, we cannot offer you the chance to visit your loved one at this time. We would advise that you speak to your funeral director as they may be able to arrange a visit once the care of your loved one has been taken over by them; however in each case they will consider the safety of yourself and their staff.

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What has happened to my loved one’s belongings?

As an organisation, we would advise that if you have the chance to visit your loved one in the hospital, their belongings are taken home by you at that time. If you have been unable to visit, we will liaise with your funeral director and ask them to return the belongings to you.

Alternatively, you can make your own arrangements by contacting the ward directly.

Will my loved one’s jewellery stay with them?

No property is removed from patients once they have had their care transferred to the Mortuary. If your loved one has jewellery on them, this will remain with them until their care is taken over by the funeral director. You can liaise with your funeral director if you wish to have this jewellery returned to you or another family member.

My loved one was on the Organ Donor Register; can they still donate organs or tissues at this time?

Organ and tissue donation has not stopped however very stringent guidance has been issued in light of the Coronavirus pandemic. When you are contacted by the Bereavement Nursing Team they will be able to answer any questions about donation that you may have, and will be able to advise you as to whether or not this is something your loved one will be able to go forward with.

If you have any questions, would like some advice, or wish to speak to someone for support, please do not hesitate to contact the Bereavement & Donation Team on 01772 523730. The nursing staff are available every day between 9.00am and 5.00pm and can offer support, advice and guidance at this time.

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Spiritual, Religious and Cultural needs As an organisation we care for people of many religions, cultures and faith backgrounds. We have a Chaplaincy Team available within the trust and an on call religious leader’s network, who are very happy to provide spiritual, religious, cultural and holistic care. If you have particular requirements, please speak to a member of the ward nursing team. They will be able to contact the relevant teams to ensure that your needs are met as best we can.

We recognise that many religions and cultures have specific requirement s for care of your loved one after they have died, including the need to conduct funerals as soon as possible. The Bereavement and Donation Team work to ensure that we can meet these needs as quickly as possible, and will do everything possible to ensure that religious, spiritual and cultural rites are honoured.

The Coroner’s Office In some circumstances it will not be possible for a hospital doctor to issue a Medical Certificate for Cause of Death. There are many reasons why this cannot be done, if you would like more information the Doctor and/or a Bereavement Team Member will be able to discuss this with you.

In these circumstances the hospital will inform the Coroner’s Office. The Coroner may by law order a post-mortem examination without obtaining permission from the relatives, in order that the cause of death can be ascertained. The Coroner then takes responsibility for the issue of the certificate. Throughout this process a Coroners’ Officer will keep in contact with you to inform you of what is happening and why. Here at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, post mortem examinations ordered by the Coroner are routinely carried out using a CT scanner.

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There are circumstances when this may not be possible; if this is the case the Coroner’s Officer will explain to you the reasons why a CT scan cannot be carried out.

The Coroner’s telephone number is 01772 524740.

Sources of further support No one needs to go through bereavement alone. Whilst you may have family and friends to support you, sometimes you may feel like you would like to speak to somebody impartial, removed from your support network, for advice.

You can contact the Bereavement and Donation Nursing Team to enquire about ongoing support. Additionally, there are several organisations locally and nationally who can offer bereavement support. www.lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk www.nhs.uk www.patient.co.uk www.accessable.co.uk CRUSE Bereavement Care: Tel: 0808 8081677 Website: www.cruse.org.uk Hub of Hope www.hubofhope.co.uk STRIDE Children’s and Young Winston’s Wish www.winstonswish.org.uk STRIDE Children’s and Young People’s Services Tel: 01772 793344 Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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Lancashire Teaching Hospitals is a smoke-free site.

On 31 May 2017 Lancashire Teaching Hospitals became a smoke-free organisation. From that date smoking is not permitted anywhere on any of our premises, either inside or outside the buildings. Our staff will ask you about your smoking status when you come to hospital and will offer you support and advice about stopping smoking including Nicotine Replacement Therapy to help manage your symptoms of withdrawal.

If you want to stop smoking you can also contact the Quit Squad Freephone 0800 328 6297.

Please ask if you would like help in understanding this information. This information can be made available in large print and in other languages.

Department: Bereavement & Donation Team Division: Medicine Production date: April 2020 Review date: April 2023 JR462 v1 Page 8 of 8