Added independent healthcare providers to the list of groups that will need to prepare for the reforms. Updated the section on the medical examiner role: the MCCD will be sent to the registrar by the medical examiner rather than the attending practitioner. In the section on the medical certificate of cause of death, added further information about maternal deaths: the new MCCD will include 2 new questions about the pregnancy status of the deceased. Added information about distribution of the new MCCD. Replaced the implementation plan and timetable with a new section on guidance that will be published for use from 9 September 2024. In the annex, added more information about secondary legislation that will come into force on 9 September 2024.
This page has been updated to reflect that regulations were laid before Parliament on 15 April 2024, which will introduce the statutory medical examiner system from 9 September 2024. The timetable has been updated to set out the actions DHSC will take between April and September, including distribution of the new paper medical certificate of cause of death. In the annex under 'secondary legislation', a link to the Cremation, Coroners and Notification of Deaths (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 has also been added.
The overview has been updated throughout to reflect the publication of draft regulations on the introduction of medical examiners and changes to the medical certificate of cause of death.
