Concerns about coroners issues
In response to concerns raised regarding GP relationships with the coroners’ office, we recently requested examples of problems experienced by GPs and practice staff. Examples provided so far include:
- coroners lack of consistency and the problems this is causing for GPs;
- issues over cremation form completion/medical examiners;
- inappropriate requests to confirm the fact of death;
- lack of telephone access to coroners and coroners’ officers;
- long response times for replies to queries delaying the issuing of death certificates;
- delays in issuing of death certificates creating problems with communities who’s religious beliefs stipulate prompt burial after death;
- ambiguity around expected deaths and the 14 day rule;
- coroners emails going to old addresses or them not following requests to communicate urgent information by phone rather than email; and
- lost coroners paperwork distressing bereaved families, particularly those who have had young die children.
If you have any further examples you wish to share, please send them to info@lmc.org.uk.
We appreciate that coroners are under great pressure from new systems and budget cuts. Our aim is to work with them to minimise the distress caused to bereaved families by the process of certifying and/or investigating deaths and free-up GP time which is currently being spent waiting with deceased patients.
Last updated : 21 Mar 2018The Care Quality Commission changes the way they schedule GP practice inspections (11 Aug 2015)
Michelle Golden, the Head of General Practice Inspections for London at the Care Quality Commission (CQC), recently informed us of a change to the way they schedule their inspections of...Speakers' Corner - This month's personal view comes from Dr Sebastian Kalwij. (11 Aug 2015)
Dr Sebastian Kalwij has been involved with the Chlamydia screening programme in Lambeth, London, as GP Lead, since 2005 and as GP Lead for the National Chlamydia Screening Programme...Important LMC Briefing on the London PMS Review (03 Aug 2015)
In the knowledge that PMS contract reviews must take place before April 2016 (see NHSE letters of February 2014 and September 2014), Londonwide LMCs have sought to engage...Men ACWY – Sign up guidance and Action Card for GPs from NHS England (31 Jul 2015)
Following enquiries received from practices regarding the Men ACWY programme, NHS England has issued brief guidance about the sign up process for this enhanced service. The deadline for practices...CQC inspections are changing (30 Jul 2015)
Michelle Golden, the Head of General Practice Inspections for London at the CQC, recently informed us about a change to the way they schedule their inspections of NHS GP practices....Statement on ‘New Deal for GPs’ speech 2015 (19 Jun 2015)
Next day appointments, named GPs and seven day access are great ideas but alone will not deliver improved patient care. Another 5,000 GPs over five years will just about keep...January 2015 Newsletter (12 Jan 2015)
November 2014 Newsletter (11 Nov 2014)
November NewsletterM Word - Special Edition - GP Resilience - Take Control campaign launched (10 Nov 2014)
Dear Colleagues.M Word - Issue 19 (02 Oct 2014)
Guidance
We provide expert guidance for practices in our guidance section, as well as an archive of other materials you may find useful.
GP Support
Contact our GP Support team if you need help or advice.
The team provide professional and pastoral support to GPs and practice teams on a broad range of issues.