Medical Examiner - Farnworth, United Kingdom - Bolton NHS Foundation Trust

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust

Verified Company

Farnworth, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

In 2007, in response to the recommendations of the Shipman Inquiry, the Department of Health called for reform of the current death certification process.

Based upon the Inquiry's findings, the DH proposed that a new role of Medical Examiner be established within healthcare environments.

Medical Examiners will be appropriately trained senior doctors who will verify clinical information on Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs), to ensure appropriate referrals to the Coroner and accuracy and consistency of MCCD content.

They will be responsible for the scrutiny of the documentation and circumstances arising from the majority of deaths in England and Wales.

- ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current
- processes of certification, investigation (by coroners) and registration of deaths within a Local Authority area;
- support those doctors who call for medical advice on suspected natural causes of death before they prepare an MCCD, and provide general medical advice to the coroner;
- scrutinise the certified causes of all in-scope deaths in a way that is compliant with the proposed national protocol;
- maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis and provide information as required to ONS & locally for clinical governance purposes;
- work with the any other local medical examiner(s) in LA/LHB or elsewhere to arrange reciprocal cover for holidays and other periods of absence and also to ensure that there is no potential conflict of interest between the medical examiner and the death being scrutinised;
- explain to bereaved relatives cause of death in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner, which respects faith, cultural, ethnic and diversity considerations;

Support training of junior doctors in completion of MCCDs and provide feedback on accuracy of certification locally.

Our Values

Vision

We have a plan that will deliver excellent health and care for future generations, working with partners to ensure our services are sustainable.

We make decisions that are best for long term health and social care outcomes for our communities

Openness

We communicate clearly to our patients, families and our staff with transparency and honesty

We encourage feedback from everyone to help drive innovation and Improvements

Integrity

We demonstrate fairness, respect and empathy in our interactions with people

We take responsibility for our actions, speaking out and learning from our mistakes

Compassion

We take a person-centred approach in all our interactions with patients, families and our staff

We provide compassionate care and demonstrate understanding to everyone

Excellence

We put quality and safety at the heart of all our services and processes

We continuously improve our standards of healthcare with the patient in mind

Scrutiny Duties

You will be expected to comply with national protocols to ensure that in each case the cause of death is scrutinised in a way that is robust, proportionate and consistent.

You must have up to date knowledge of medical conditions, treatments and medicines which may or may not have contributed to death, and be able to exercise judgement in where to seek specialist advice in order to determine the appropriate level of scrutiny required.

You must be able to distinguish between natural and unnatural causes of death and to decide where a death must be reported to, and investigated by, a coroner.

- coroners and death certification;
- deaths abroad where bodies are returned to England and Wales for disposal; and;
- deaths where relatives wish to transport the body abroad for disposal;
- certifying and registering deaths; and the regulations to authorise cremation or burials of stillbirths abroad.

Your team will be responsible for maintaining comprehensive records in an appropriate format.

Accountability

You will have professional independence in scrutinising deaths but will be accountable to the employing organisation's Board/Director of Public Health for achieving agreed standards or levels of performance.

You will have regard to guidance issued by the National Medical Examiner when carrying out your ME functions.

Continuing Professional Development

You will be expected to take responsibility for your own continuing professional development and take part in continuing medical education activities, in accordance with any relevant standards for maintaining your GMC licence to practice and membership of any relevant professional body.

You will be committed to the concept of lifelong learning and produce and maintain a Personal Development Plan in agreement with your appraiser.

You will be required to attend relevant local, and national activities in order to maintain up to date knowledge and to ensure compliance with legal and procedural requirements associated with the current processes of certification, investigation (by coroners) and registration.

Safety and Quality