Coroners Court

Question 1

Define a natural death

Answer 1

A natural disease (age or disease, not violence or trauma) coming to its natural conclusion

Question 2

What is not reported to the coroner despite not fully inkeeping with the definition of a natural death?

Answer 2

Chronic alcohol use
Chronic smoking

Question 3

What is the paper work process behind the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death?

Answer 3

Must list cause of death to best of knowledge or belief (low certainty value)
Death of must be of natural causes or should be referred to the coroner
Must have seen the patient in life in order to complete certificate.

Question 4

What is the role of the registrar regarding the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death?

Answer 4

Will review certificate and reject is cause not appropriate
Checks if cause is on the RCPath cause of death list
May not be involved in a medical examiner has already checked the form

Question 5

What is the role of a medical examiner after patient death?

Answer 5

Will check the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
Provides independent scrutiny of the cause of death, can help determine what should be put as the cause of death on the certificate.

Question 6

What paperwork is filled out before cremation/burial?

Answer 6

All : medical Certificate or Cause of Death form

Cremation - also requires an additional form (based on idea that body can’t later be checked for cause of death)
Burial does not.

Question 7

When does the coroner get involved after a patients death?

Answer 7

The coroner must be referred to to investigate a patients death is
- died in a violent of unnatural death
- cause of death is unknown
- died while in custody or state detention
- no attending medical practitioner to sign a MCCD or is not available within a reasonable amount of time
- identity of deceased cannot be ascertained

Question 8

What potential causes of death must a medical professional refer to a coroner?

Answer 8

Poisoning
Exposure or contact with toxic substance
Use of medicinal product, drug or procedure
Violence
Trauma or injury (time since is not relevant e.g paralysis made vulnerable to infection, infection kills, but car accident causing paralysis iscause of death)
Self harm
Neglect including self neglect
Link to employment at any time during lifespan

Question 9

What are the initial stages of a coronial investigation?

Answer 9

Natural causes and certificate issued
Inquest with/without jury for:
- who died, when they died and how they died?
Is not a criminal system for guilt or blame - doctors are asked for statements at witnesses not perpetrators.

Question 10

If as a doctor you are requested at a coroners investigation what should you do?

Answer 10

Make coronial statement as comprehensive as possible (understand for non-medics and with plenty information)
Answers family questions that were given to the coroner
Get help - seniors/trust/defence organisation.