Update
New cremation regulations allow families to inspect medical forms
New cremation regulations for England and Wales allow families to inspect the completed medical forms of a deceased relative before cremation takes place. As part of the new legislation that came into effect in January 2009, relatives are able to discuss any concerns surrounding unexpected symptoms, or discrepancies in the case, with a medical referee.
The legislation has been introduced in response to Dame Janet Smith’s third Shipman inquiry report, which highlighted many inaccurate cremation forms completed by Harold Shipman. The forms available for inspection are those completed by the doctor who treated the deceased during his or her last illness, and by a second doctor, independent of both the patient and the other doctor.
In a change to the form “Application for cremation of the body of a person who has died”, a counter-signature is no longer required. Instead, it is made clear that it is a criminal offence to make a false statement on a cremation form under section 8(2) of the Cremation Act 1902. For the first time, there are also new statutory forms to permit the cremation of stillborn babies. Justice Minister Bridget Prentice said: “The right of families to inspect the medical forms for cremation of their relatives, for the first time in history, is significant.”
In addition to appointing medical referees, the new cremation regulations also give the secretary of state power to remove a medical referee from their post on the grounds of incapacity or misbehaviour.
Today’s opinion on tomorrow’s doctors
The GMC is seeking opinions on the revised edition of Tomorrow’s Doctors, the guidance for UK undergraduate medical education. Since its publication in 1993, changes include the new edition of Good Medical Practice in 2006 and the foundation programme.
Hospitals unprepared for EWTD
More than half of English hospitals surveyed by the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Royal College of Surgeons are unprepared for the introduction of the 48-hour week in August 2009. Of those who are yet to meet the 2009 EWTD requirement, less than 15% have a costed, agreed plan to meet the deadline.