Description
In this engaging presentation at a medical conference, area coroner Laurinda Bower addresses clinicians about the coroner's process and recent regulatory changes. She begins by humorously acknowledging the trepidation that many medics may feel upon hearing the term "coroner" and reassures them about their voluntary attendance at the session. Bower outlines her role as the area coroner for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, while inadvertently crossing into Derbyshire, and proceeds to discuss the inquest process and the responsibilities of medical practitioners in referring deaths to the coroner.
Bower emphasizes the importance of understanding the new notification of death regulations, which require clinicians to refer deaths where there is reasonable suspicion that an unnatural cause may be involved. She clarifies that certainty is not needed, only suspicion, and encourages practitioners to err on the side of caution when in doubt.
She also explains the significance of the medical examiner scheme, recently formalized in acute hospitals, which assists in determining the cause of death and ensuring proper referrals. Bower discusses the legal standards surrounding causation in potential coroner cases, highlighting how surgical interventions can influence mortality outcomes.
A real-life case study involving a 93-year-old female patient named Mavis is presented, prompting the audience to consider various factors that could have contributed to her unexpected demise post-surgery—highlighting the intricate connections between clinical decisions, surgical procedures, and subsequent legal implications.
Bower further shares updates from the COVID-19 pandemic, including changes in the time frame for medical consultations and the flexibility of virtual attendance for medical witnesses in inquests, all aimed at streamlining processes and reducing burdens on healthcare professionals. She concludes with a call for thorough documentation and the importance of presenting comprehensive medical reports during inquest procedures.