A year of the Medical Examiner Service in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

It is a year since the launch of the Medical Examiner service and already the local service for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire has reviewed more than 8,300 deaths.

The service was brought in to provide an independent assessment of every death in England and Wales not being investigated by a coroner.

It was set up to safeguard the public, examining the circumstances of an individual’s death and ensuring that their treatment was appropriate.

It provides an independent opinion of the cause and circumstances of death and if the Medical Examiner feels further investigation is required they can refer them to the Coroner.

They will speak to the next of kin or someone close to every person who has died, taking on board any concerns they might have and answering their questions. Being contacted by the Medical Examiner is routine and nothing to worry about.

There are three parts to the Medical Examiner scrutiny process:

• Reviewing medical notes.
• Talking to a doctor who was involved in the care of the person who has died and will write the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
• A conversation with the next of kin, or another person close to the person who has died.

Lead Medical Examiner Officer, Charlotte Clews, said: “Our role is to look at the circumstances of an individual’s death and any care they received so that we can provide assurances to families.

“We look into every death that is not being investigated by the Coroner, so us getting in touch about your loved one’s death is completely routine and nothing to worry about.

“Our part of the certification process can take a few days, but this is really important to ensure we have fully reviewed your loved one’s death.”

To contact the Medical Examiner’s Office please use the details relevant to where your loved one died, which can be found on the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board website

For more information on the service visit the Medical Examiner pages.