Statutory medical examiner system delayed until April 2024
The National Association of Funeral Directors has stated that it will continue to work closely with the government in the meantime towards the new implementation date
The government has confirmed that the full introduction of the statutory medical examiner system in England will be postponed until April 2024, delaying it for 12 months from the original implementation date this year.
As a result of this news, The National Association of Funeral Directors has stated that it will continue to work closely with the government in the meantime towards the new implementation date in April 2024.
In a statement to parliament, parliamentary under secretary of state Maria Caulfield said that the introduction of medical examiners is part of a broader death certification, registration and coronial process.
Caulfield said: “The changes will put all of the medical examiner system’s obligations, duties and responsibilities on to a statutory footing and ensure they are recognised by law. For example, it will be a legal requirement that medical examiners scrutinise all non-coronial deaths. This will help to deter criminal activity and poor practice, increase transparency and offer the bereaved an opportunity to raise concern.
“In preparation for this, the relevant provisions of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and the Health and Care Act 2022 will be commenced by autumn 2023. We will also publish draft regulations by autumn 2023, and will lay the regulations when parliamentary time allows.”
She added: “We are working closely across government to ensure that from both a legislative and operational perspective we are supporting the professions involved so that they are prepared for the full introduction of the statutory system from April 2024.”
