Hampshire Scientific Service Contents? Does everyone know about the Medical Examiner’s role? Background What will the ME achieve? An update How will it work? When Key Issues Next steps for us ME is a bit like teenage sex A lot talking about it Not many doing anything And those that are starting to do something are not sure if they are getting it right! Hampshire Scientific Service

Hampshire Scientific Service Background Coroners and Justice Act 2009 creates role of Medical Examiner (ME) ME’s to be appointed by Primary Care Trusts (PCT’s) But ……. Health and Social Care Bill abolished PCT’s DOH! Hampshire Scientific Service

What will the ME & MEO achieve Better scrutiny of death certification Quality Assurance?? More accurate data on causes of death Therefore improved health outcomes for the public Strengthen safeguards for the public i.e. deter another Shipman Medical advice to Coroners … & current cremation checks Hampshire Scientific Service

How will it work in Hampshire? 53 x 47 miles at widest points, 1,400 sq. miles in total 1.6m pop (2001): 75% urban, 15% market / rural towns and 10% village / other. 15,712 deaths a year. 4 coroner areas. 5 acute hospitals and ~20 other hospitals Number of cases in a year (percentages based on data from death certification pilots) Total deaths Notified / referred to coroner Investigated by Coroner (i.e. PM / Inquest) Proposed public fee collected Income Medical examiner involved (if £165) 15,712 39% 6,195 4,540 29% 10,725 68% ~ £1,769,625 13,705 87% FTE Posts & Headcount (based on workload data from pilots) FTE Headcount Medical examiners 7 ~ 21 Medical examiner’s officers (or equivalent) ~ 8 Doctors / other people with suitable expertise carrying out ~36% of external examinations on behalf of medical examiners 2 ~ 5 Hampshire Scientific Service

Current Timetable: (subject to change) Consultation Regulations laid Local configuration, planning and preparation Introduction of new process Spring 2012 Autumn 2012 Starts after regulations laid April 2013 October 2013 April 2014 This has resulted in delays to Coroners and Justice Act implementation Dec 2012 National Steering Group for Death Certification Reforms meeting on 27 February 2012 cancelled – main item was draft regulations and consultation document (next meeting 26 June) Hampshire Scientific Service

Key issues for local authorities Quality Assurance Risk Death tax Non-payment and debt recovery New burden Comparison between authorities if charges vary or failure to balance books Who is liable to pay? Impact on other LA services including Registration, Coroners workload and budgets Delay to Coroners and Justice Act too – MoJ. awaiting clarity in ME role Payment methods – could there be an alternative? Hampshire Scientific Service 6

Hampshire Scientific Service Next steps Mug up on proposal Raise awareness of ME proposals with your Chief Officers and Members Risk Register Consultation: Have your say - make sure your LA responds to the consultation Encourage all stakeholders to respond to the consultation Hampshire Scientific Service

Hampshire Scientific Service Questions or comments Glenn.taylor@hants.gov.uk 02392 829 501 Complaints – I’ll give you a different address for those! Hampshire Scientific Service