Hospital Services
We mainly work with Royal Derby Hospital, London Road Community Hospital and Queens Hospital Burton. For information on their services please visit https://www.uhdb.nhs.uk/.
For specific information on GP Imaging Requests including X-rays, ultrasounds, CT and MRI scans, please download the information here.
You can also book phlebotomy appointments for all your blood tests directly with the hospitals by visiting www.swiftqueue.co.uk/uhdb.php.
MEDICAL EXAMINER (AFTER DEATH)
What happens when someone dies
When a person dies, one of the first steps for their representative or relative is to obtain a death certificate.
Depending on the cause of death, there will either be an investigation by a coroner, or medical certification by a medical practitioner.
This is usually either the GP, or the Hospital Doctor, or Hospice Doctor, who had been taking care of the patient in their last days of life.
All deaths in England and Wales, without exception, now require an independent review (by either a Coroner or Medical Examiner). This change was introduced in 2024, after a new law.
Medical examiners are senior NHS doctors, from either a hospital or general practitioner setting, who, after completing specialist training, work part time in this role.
Their job is to give an independent view on causes of death and the care provided (except for deaths which have to be investigated by a coroner).
Medical Examiners review the patient care records as well as the cause of death proposed by the attending practitioner (GP, Hospital Doctor, etc), who had knowledge of, or involvement in, the care of the deceased.
Your conversation with the Medical Examiner
As a relative or representative of someone who has died you will be asked if you would like to have a conversation with the Medical Examiner, or their officer, about anything that may be worrying you about how the person who died was cared for.
The purpose of this discussion is to increase understanding and peace of mind for families.
The Medical Examiner or Medical Examiner officer will explain what is written on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and why.
You may simply want to better understand why the person died, including by having medical terminology explained, or you may want to raise something about the care which did not feel right or ideal.
This is your opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns.
Medical Examiners and Medical Examiner Officers will discuss your feedback, questions and concerns.
If they consider any issues with care need further investigation, they will refer these to someone who can do this work.
As well as answering your questions, talking to a Medical Examiner helps the NHS provide better care for other patients and carers in future; for example, by identifying ways in which patient and family care could be improved.
Increased timescales for registering a death
It may take longer for deaths to be certified and registered due to the additional step involving the Medical Examiner.
Notification of deceased’s representative
The deceased’s representative will not be able to register the death until the Medical Examiner has sent the MCCD to the Registrar (in some cases this may take longer than 5 days).
Changes to death certificates
New death certificates, introduced as a result of the changes introduced in 2024, include some different information, such as the new categories of informant (deceased’s partner or representative).
Greater efficiency in coroner cases
Over time, the involvement of medical examiners should streamline cases requiring coroner intervention.
For further information:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/patient-safety/patient-safety-insight/national-medical-examiner-system
For Derbyshire County deaths:
For Derby City deaths:
https://www.derby.gov.uk/community-and-living/deaths-funerals-cremations/deaths