Medical examiner service

The Medical Examiners (ME) are senior doctors from a range of differing specialities who will complete a proportionate and independent scrutiny of all deaths that occur in the hospital and wider community not requiring investigation by the HM Coroner.  

The Medical Examiner will complete their scrutiny of the medical records and liaise with the Consultant and/or treating team to discuss the care and cause of death of the patient.  This will enable the hospital doctor to issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).

Once the MCCD has been issued, the Medical Examiner Officer will contact you as the nominated next of kin to explain the cause of death and ensure that there is understanding of the medical terms used, but to also offer the opportunity to ask any questions or seek clarity on any issues during the last illness of your loved one.  

Following discussion with the Medical Examiner Office the MCCD will be sent electronically to the Registration Service along with your details.  Due to the change in legislation the Registration Office will contact you to arrange a face to face appointment within 5 days of receipt of the MCCD from the Medical Examiner’s Office and not 5 days after death.

Occasionally, the Medical Examiner will need to make a referral to HM Coroner.  This can be for a number of reasons including:

• The cause of death cannot be established.
• The death arising from unnatural cause.
• The cause of death being related to any employment.
• Having undergone an operation which was felt to have contributed or caused the death.
• Where significant concerns have been raised.

We call you to explain the reason for the referral and guide you through what will happen next.

For deaths within Exeter, Mid Devon and parts of West Devon,

The Medical Examiner will complete their scrutiny of the medical records and liaise with the GP surgery to discuss the care and cause of death of the patient.  This will enable the GP to issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).

Once the MCCD has been issued, the Medical Examiner Officer will explain the cause of death and ensure that there is understanding of the medical terms used, but to also offer the opportunity to ask any questions or seek clarity on any issues during the last illness of your loved one. 

Following discussion with the Medical Examiner Office the MCCD will be sent electronically to the Registration Service.  You will be given the contact number for the Registration Service and advised to arrange an appointment to register.  Due to a change in legislation the death is required to be registered within 5 days of receipt of the MCCD at the Registration Office from the Medical Examiner’s Office and not 5 days after death.

Occasionally, the Medical Examiner will need to make a referral to HM Coroner.  This can be for a number of reasons including:

• The cause of death cannot be established
• The death arising from unnatural cause
• The cause of death being related to any employment
• Having undergone an operation which was felt to have contributed or caused the death.
• Where significant concerns have been raised.

We call you to explain the reason for the referral and guide you through what will happen next.

For information relating to the death in the community please contact the local office who will be able to assist with any questions or queries you may have.

East, North, Mid and part of West Devon

01392 408 396

Torbay and surrounding areas

01803 654 489

Plymouth and surrounding areas

01752 439 492

Eastern (RD&E Exeter) and Northern (NDDH Barnstaple)

Medical Examiner Service

We can be contacted by telephone between 9am and 3pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) on 01392 408 396.

We apologise if you connect to an answerphone, our phone lines can be busy.  Please leave your name and a contact telephone number and we will respond to your message as soon as we can.

rduh.medicalexaminer@nhs.net  / rduh.northenmedicalexaminer@nhs.net

Bereavement Services

link to Bereavement Exeter:

NHS Royal Devon | Bereavement services

Link to Bereavement North:

North Devon and District Hospital – Bereavement Support (rns.uk)

PALS – Patient Advise and Liaison Service – PALS

Eastern / Northern services

NHS Royal Devon | Patient Advice and Liaison Service – PALS