Guidance for HDFT Staff on Care after Death
‘Someone I care about has died (Hospital or Community). What do I do next?’
• The staff members’ role is ensuring that written information is given in a supportive way.
• Provide families/carers with the appropriate bereavement information pack, ‘Someone I care about has died: What do I do next?’
• Point out relevant numbers where appropriate, e.g. Bereavement Officer, Medical Examiners
• Ensure the correct nominated next of kin details are documented on the electronic patient record
• In Hospital, a quiet space should be located to allow the family to receive information and ask appropriate questions.
N.B. Do not ask relatives to attend the hospital. They will be contacted by the Bereavement Officer / Medical Examiner Officer as described on page 2 and page 3.
What happens next?
Please advise families to not attend the hospital unless they are advised to do so.
The Bereavement Officer will contact the families by phone the following working day after the death has occurred. If Monday is a bank holiday, this will be the next working day.
The Bereavement Officer’s role is to support the families in this incredibly difficult time. They will:
• guide them on the next steps of the process
• advise them on how to register the death
• raise any compliments, concerns or complaints they may have about the care received
• signpost them to further resources and help
Bereavement Office 01423 559429 hdft.bereavement@nhs.net
If the phone is busy, then please advise them to leave a message and the Bereavement Officer will get in touch as soon as possible. If there is a delay, assure them that in the meantime the Bereavement Office will be coordinating with staff to complete all the relevant documents.
Medical Examiner and Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
Please note, that all documentation is electronic so families will not need to collect them in person.
The Medical Examiner Officer will contact the nominated next of kin directly when the medical certificate is completed. In the community the GP will arrange this with the Medical Examiner team.
Medical Examiners are senior NHS doctors who, after completing specialist training, work part-time in this role. Their job is to give an independent view of causes of death and the care provided (except which have to be investigated by a coroner).
Medical Examiners and Medical Examiners Officers offer families and carers of the person who died an opportunity to ask questions or raise any concerns about the causes of death or about the care the person received before their death.
Please note, if the death is referred to the Coroner there will be a delay in the certificate being issued. The Medical Examiner will guide the bereaved families through this process.
Medical Examiner Office 01423 559274 (during office hours only excluding Bank Holidays).
What delays may occur around completion of MCCD?
Sometimes there are unavoidable delays in the issuing of the MCCD. In these circumstances the person’s body cannot be released immediately and a delay may be expected.
The main causes of such delays are:
• When the death takes place at the weekend or a public holiday. Staff will endeavour at all times to assist in the fulfilling of any particular religious requirements families may have in relation to funeral practices. If families need to proceed quickly ask the ward staff to contact the Clinical Site Manager to seek further assistance.
• When the death is reported to the Coroner.
• When the funeral is to take place out of England or Wales. An ‘Out of England’ order will need to be issued to families by the Coroner before proceeding. A ‘Free from Infection’ Certificate must be issued by the hospital prior to transportation. Their funeral director can arrange this.
How to register the death:
Death can only be registered by the following people:
• A relative or partner.
• A personal representative of the person who has died.
• Someone who as present at the death.
• An occupier of the house where the death occurred or an official from the public building where the death occurred (e.g., the hospital).
• The person making the arrangements with the funeral director.
The death can be registered at any of the eight Registration Offices in North Yorkshire.
The closest Register Office to this hospital is:
Harrogate Register Office
Bilton House, 31 Park Parade, Harrogate HG1 5AG
Families can book an appointment online or by telephone once they have been notified by the Medical Examiner that the MCCD has been completed.
Tel: 0300 131 2131 www.northyorks.gov.uk/death
DEVONSHIREPLACE CLARO ROAD
REGENT PARADE
PARKCHASE
COACH ROAD PARK PARADE
NORTH PARK ROAD
COACH ROAD
The Empress N EMPR SSE ADNUOR BOUT
KNARESBOROUGHROAD
GRANBYROAD
SILVERFIELDSROAD
HARROGATE REGISTER OFFICE A661
The Stray HarrogateKNARESBOROUGHROAD
SlingbyWalk
ROSEVILLE ROAD
KNARESBOROUGH ROAD
HARROGATE AND DISTRICT NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
BIRSTWITH ROAD
LANCASTER PARK ROAD
WILLASTON
SlingbyWalk
STWINIFRED’SAVENUE ROSLYNROAD
STCLEMENT’SROAD STWINIFRED’SROAD
What information do bereaved relatives need to register the death?
In addition to the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, the registrar will ask about:
• Dates and places of birth and death.
• Full name and marital status.
• Home address.
• Last occupation (even if retired).
• If married – the date of birth of the surviving partner.
• If female – maiden name, husband’s full name and occupation.
The Registrar will then issue two forms:
• A green form for the Funeral Director
• A white form for the Department of Work and Pensions (if needed)
There is no charge for registering a death however there is a charge for each certified copy of the death certificate. Certified copies will be needed to send to banks, building societies, insurance companies, etc. as most organisations will not accept photocopies.