Ministry of Justice
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Bereaved families get new rights to avoid another Shipman
New Cremation Regulations designed to help prevent another Harold Shipman-type murder have been published today.
The Regulations, which follow a full public consultation, allow bereaved families to inspect the medical forms of a deceased family member before a cremation takes place.
Under the new Regulation, families will be able to draw the medical referee's attention to any concerns about unexpected symptoms or discrepancies in the case.
Justice Minister, Bridget Prentice said:
"The system of reporting deaths is a fundamental one and the Shipman case highlighted areas in need of improvement. These measures will help to empower bereaved families by allaying any doubts or concerns they may have."
The existing Cremation Regulations date back to 1930 and are widely regarded as old-fashioned and confusing.
The Regulations are expected to come into force in January 2009. They are an interim measure and will precede longer-term Department of Health plans to create the role of a Medical Examiner, who will deal with all deaths.
Notes to Editors:
1. The Cremation (England & Wales) Regulations 2008, forms and guidance for practitioners are available on http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/cremation.htm.
2. Dame Janet Smith's 'Third Shipman Inquiry Report' made clear that many of the forms completed by Shipman were wholly inaccurate.
3. Consultation on the Regulations ended on 22 October 2007 and the response to this was published on 21 May 2008.
4. The Coroners and Death Certification Bill combines proposals to modernise the coroner system with Department of Health proposals to establish an independent body of medical examiners to scrutinise the causes of death given by doctors on death certificates in those cases which are not referred to the coroner.
5. Please contact Ministry of Justice press office on 020 333 4 3525 for more information.
