The Medical Examiner post has been created by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in response to observations made in the Third Report of the Shipman Inquiry. The introduction of the medical examiner system promotes robust, transparent and independent scrutiny of death certification processes.
· For further details see Job Description
T To ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current processes.
· To scrutinise the certified causes of death offered by attending doctors
· To discuss and explain the cause of death with the bereaved.
T To maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised.
· To participate in relevant clinical governance activities
· To support the training of doctors in their understanding of death certification and promote good practice.
· To work with medical examiner officers (MEOs), delegating duties as appropriate.
· To adopt a collaborative working relationship with other MEs.
The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute Hospital in the London Borough of Hillingdon and offers a wide range of services including accident and emergency, inpatient care, day surgery, outpatient clinics and maternity services. The Trust’s services at Mount Vernon Hospital include routine day surgery, delivered at a modern treatment centre, a minor injuries unit and outpatient clinics.
The safety and well-being of our patients and of our staff is paramount and we are making urgent improvements to address this – particularly in infection prevention and control. We are making progress and going forward by working in partnership with local GPs, charities,
community services, academic partners, our local authority, neighbouring hospitals and the wider North West London Integrated care system, and ensuring that we listen and work in partnership with our local population. We are absolutely focused on ensuring that our hospitals
provide high quality, safe and compassionate care, while drive forward the building of the new Hillingdon Hospital.
We have over 3,500 members of staff that are proud to care for nearly half a million people, with a vision to be an outstanding provider of healthcare through leading health and academic partnerships, transforming services, to provide the best care where needed.
This post will be one of six Medical Examiners within the Trust, working to the senior medical examiner for the Trust and with the other Medical Examiners. The MEs will work together to ensure that there is scrutiny of deaths each working day. This would typically be by having an “ME of the day” rota with prospective cover.
One replacement post is available, working within the new statutory 2024 framework in which there is mandatory ME scrutiny of all non-coronial deaths within our local Borough. To achieve this, there is an on call commitment of approximately 5 daytime hours on one weekend in six for urgent scrutiny and registrations, to fit in with local Register Office hours.
These positions have dual accountability to both the Trust Medical Director, and also the London Regional Medical Examiner, and ultimately the National Medical Examiner.
Medical examiners (MEs) are appropriately trained doctors who will verify clinical information on Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs) and ensure that the right referrals are made to the coroner for further investigation.A practising medical practitioner who has been on the general medical council register for a minimum of five years post registration can apply to be a medical examiner. It is recommended that medical examiners are consultant grade doctors from a range of disciplines (including GP principals). MEs will take a consistent approach to the formulation of MCCD content, which must be clinically accurate and reflect any discussions with the next of kin/informant. MEs must not have been involved in the care of the deceased patients for deaths they scrutinise.
This advert closes on Thursday 10 Oct 2024