Death Certification

Question 1

When someone has died, what does a doctor need to fill out?

Answer 1

an MCCD

Question 2

Can ‘old age’ be used on an MCCD?

Answer 2

Yes, only if the patient is >80 years old.

Question 3

Is “natural cause” acceptable on a death certificate?

Answer 3

No

Question 4

In what situation can “organ failure” (e.g. liver, heart etc) be used?

Answer 4

It can only be used if you specifiy the disease/condition that lead to it. (Hepatitis, Ischaemic heart disease etc)

Question 5

Can you use abbreviations?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

When the MCCD is produced, what do the family do with it?

Answer 6

They take it to the local registrar who will issue:

1. Certificate for Burial/Cremation
2. Certificate of Registration of Death
3. Copies of the death register (if requested)

Question 7

What deaths need to be reported to the coroner?

Answer 7

• Unexpected or sudden deaths
• When the doctor attending the deceased did not see them within 14 days before death
• If a death occurs within 24 hours of hospital admission
• Accidents and injuries
• Suicide
• Industrial injury or disease (e.g. asbestosis)
• Deaths occurring as a result of ill treatment, starvation or neglect
• The death occurred during an operation or before recovery from the effect of an anaesthetic
• Poisoning, including taking illicit drugs
• Stillbirths - if there is doubt as to whether the child was born alive
• Prisoner or people in police custody
• Service disability pensioners

Question 8

Is Carinomatosis acceptable?

Answer 8

‘Carcinomatosis’ is acceptable in 1a with the underlying cancer in 1b for a patient with terminal cancer who had a general and expected decline.