There is no need for next of kin to contact the Medical Examiner Service directly, as a Medical Examiner Officer will contact the relevant individuals using the details provided by the referring doctor (for deaths outside of hospital) or the bereavement team (for deaths in hospital).

The aims of the service are to:

Strengthen safeguards for the public

• Providing robust, systematic and independent scrutiny of all deaths not referred directly to HM Coroner.
• Ensuring that the right deaths are referred to HM Coroner and to individual care organisations for further investigation where appropriate.
• Providing intelligent analysis and system level reporting of concerns found during scrutiny.

Improve the quality of death certification

• Providing expert advice to doctors regarding completing the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) based on discussion and a review of relevant clinical records.

Avoid unnecessary distress for the bereaved

• Giving an explanation regarding the cause of death and answering questions about the circumstances of death.
• Answering questions or concerns about care given.
• Notifying appropriate parties where further investigation is required.

There is evidence from the pilot schemes which started in 2008 that the Medical Examiner Service has demonstrated various benefits.

Improved accuracy of death certification

• Medical Examiners advised on the best wording to explain the cause of death accurately and with the detail needed.

Helped avoid unnecessary distress for families

• By listening to the concerns and providing reassurance to the next of kin that can result from unanswered questions about the cause of death.
• Bereavement support groups involved in the pilots were universally supportive and the Medical Examiner Service was valued by families.
• Families felt reassured after consulting the Medical Examiner about the language used on the death certificate as they often found the medical terminology difficult to understand.

Identified trends in unexpected causes of death

• For example, Medical Examiners triggered investigations that identified problems with post-operative infections.

Ensured that the right deaths were referred to a coroner for further investigation

• When the certifying doctor was unsure of the need for coronial referral, a discussion with the Medical Examiner normally clarified the position.

Close working relations

• Between Medical Examiners and the local Coroner’s office were established in all the pilots. Coroners welcomed the improved quality of medical information they received.

Helped foster more openness in the NHS

• Health professionals who raised concerns felt supported knowing that they were protected by the authority and independence of the Medical Examiner.

The Medical Examiner Service covers Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).

The service operates four offices, each covering deaths occurring at different locations depending on where the person died.

You should contact the office in the place where your relative or patient died.

For deaths occurring at:

Southmead Hospital: 0117 414 3447/3448

Central Bristol hospitals, including Bristol Royal Infirmary/Bristol Heart Institute/Bristol Children’s Hospital/St Michael’s Hospital/Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre (BHOC): 0117 342 7507/9977

Weston General Hospital: 01934 636363 (ext 7569)

For deaths occurring at home, hospices, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership and Sirona care & health Inpatient Rehabilitation Units: 0117 414 0074

Alternatively email: nbn-tr.medicalexaminer@nhs.net

Opening hours

Southmead Hospital Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm

Bristol Royal Infirmary Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm

Weston General Hospital Monday to Thursday, 9am-4pm

Frenchay (deaths outside of hospital) Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

Please note that these are normal hours of operation and may be subject to change.

Next of kin can book their appointment to register the death in person by phoning 0117 922 2800 or online on the Bristol City Council website.

Next of kin can book their appointment to register the death in person by phoning 01823 282251.

Next of kin will be contacted by the registrar once the MCCD has been received by the office. The Medical Examiner Service will provide the relevant contact details in its communications with the registry office

The next of kin can call the office on 01454 863140 to book an appointment if they haven’t heard anything.