If a patient dies and the death is reportable to the coroner, you should leave all equipment in place until you have discussed the case with the coroner’s officer. This factsheet gives you further information about what to do.

If a patient dies and the death is reportable to the coroner, you should leave all equipment in place until you have discussed the case with the coroner’s officer. This factsheet gives you further information about what to do.

If a patient dies and the death is reportable to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, you should leave all equipment in place until you have discussed the case with the Procurator Fiscal. This factsheet gives you further information about what to do.

If a patient dies and the death is reportable to the coroner, you should leave all equipment in place until you have discussed the case with the coroner’s officer. This factsheet gives you further information about what to do.

One of the most difficult situations faced by any clinician is when you are concerned that a colleague’s behaviour, health or professional performance may be placing patients at risk. This factsheet outlines your duty to raise concerns when patients may be at risk of harm.

Mr A was a 50-year-old lecturer in general good health. In a private hospital, he underwent an elective laparotomy for diverticular disease. Postoperative complications ensued with subsequent peritonitis. Following a period of ventilation in intensive care, he was left with a temporary tracheostomy for respiratory care.

Mr G was a 41-year-old accountant and a keen cyclist. He visited his GP, Dr M, because he was suffering from worsening lumbar back and left-leg pain and occasional numbness in his left foot.

Mr C, a 47-year-old self-employed electrician, was admitted for a routine arthroscopic menisectomy of the knee. He was in good health and did not take any regular medication. His past medical history was unremarkable. He was keen to resume his active lifestyle, and return to work as soon as possible since he was the sole breadwinner. Preoperative assessment confirmed that he was healthy and fit for the procedure.

An hour after apparently recovering well from an operation on her thyroid gland, Mrs J started to bleed severely from her wound. She was immediately returned to the operating theatre and Dr F, her anaesthetist, was called to see her.