COVID-19 Episode 12: Managing Death in the Community

Now that the Greater Manchester Enabling Safe Certification of Death in the Community service is being stood down, we take the opportunity to talk through the new legislation (from the Coronavirus Act 2020) and how this applies in practice.

Dr Aamna Khan (GP and Clinical Lead for the Enabling Safe Certification of Death in the community service) and Dr Viren Mehta (GP partner, clinical director of his PCN and clinical director for Stockport CCG) take us through this important subject.

They discuss:

• Expected and unexpected deaths and how these should be approached
• Who should be referred to the coroner and when to write COVID-19 on the death certificate
• Verification of death and who can do this
• Who can complete paperwork such as the death certificate and cremation forms and the criteria that now needs to be satisfied to enable this to be done
• Tips on how to complete this paperwork at the moment
• The ways in which the registration process has changed
• Thoughts on how practices and PCNs can think about their systems to make death in the community safer and smoother for everyone involved
  

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Useful resources: 

• Information and contact details for Greater Manchester Enabling Safe Certification of Deaths in the Community Service: https://gmprimarycare.org.uk/coronavirus/

• Coronavirus Act 2020: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/7/contents/enacted

• Red Whale - COVID-19: Death in the community: https://www.gp-update.co.uk/SM4/Mutable/Uploads/pdf_file/28_GP_COVID-19_The-Coronovirus-Act-2020-Death-certification,-cremation-and-burial.pdf

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We really want to make these episodes relevant and helpful: if you have any questions or want any particular areas covered then contact us on Twitter @PCKBpodcast, or leave a comment on our really quick anonymous survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YYQ763C

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This podcast has been made with the support of Wigan CCG and GP Excellence in Greater Manchester. Given that they are recorded with Greater Manchester clinicians, the information discussed may not be applicable elsewhere and it is important to consult local guidelines before making any treatment decisions. 

The information presented is the personal opinion of the healthcare professional interviewed and might not be representative to all clinicians. It is based on their interpretation of current best practice and guidelines when the episode was recorded. Guidelines can change; To the best of our knowledge the information in this episode is up to date as of it’s release but it is the listeners responsibility to review the information and make sure it is still up to date when they listen.

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