ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the challenges Medical Examiner offices in England face as they begin to widen their scrutiny to include all community deaths. It is important to note that Medical Examiner implementation in Wales included the community setting from the outset, and their approach is described elsewhere in this book. By reviewing the three mandatory steps of scrutiny first, and then considering the key principles all Medical Examiner offices must uphold (as highlighted in the National Medical Examiner’s good practice guidelines), the particular challenges of community extension are considered. Approaches to implementation across England are then discussed and relevant process issues highlighted.
It becomes clear that the process of extending Medical Examiner scrutiny to community settings is complex and needs careful planning and collaboration, with adaptation to local needs and circumstances. In England and Wales, the coronavirus response has seen collaboration within our health and care system accelerate at a pace and scale previously unimaginable. Whilst it is important that the NHS has time to reflect and begin recovery from the pandemic, we need to now build on this collaboration to implement Medical Examiner scrutiny in the community. It is vital we move to a position where there is equal scrutiny irrespective of place of death.
