Which deaths must be reported to the Coroner?

About half of all deaths are not reported to the Coroner at all. However, the Coroner must be informed of any death which triggers the Notification of Death Regulations 2019 ( Guidance for registered medical practitioners on the Notification of Deaths Regulations)

There are several types of death that must always be reported:

.        Deaths that may be linked to medical treatment, surgery or anaesthetic

·        Deaths that may be linked to an accident, however long ago it happened

·        If there is a possibility that the person took their own life

·        If there are any suspicious circumstances or history of violence

·        Deaths that may be linked to the person’s occupation, for example, if they have been exposed to asbestos

·        All deaths of people who are in custody or detained under the Mental Health Act even if sue to natural causes

·        Some unusual illnesses including hepatitis and tuberculosis

Not all deaths are referred to the Coroner however.  Following Government changes in September 2024, all deaths needs to be scrutinised by the Medical Examiner Service, who will provide independent scrutiny of all deaths that are not investigated by the Coroner.  This scrutiny will be undertaken by a Medical Examiner who is an experienced Doctor with additional training in death certification and with a review of the documents circumstances of death.

A Medical Examiner can refer the death directly to the Coroner if they feel it triggers the Notification of Death Regulations 2019.

 If you are still unclear why your relative's death has been reported, please call us and an Officer will discuss it with you.

Reports are made mainly by doctors and the Police.  When we receive a report in the office, it is given to the Coroner.  He will review the information and decide what should be done.  The next sections cover the different possibilities.