1. Summary of responses to the consultation 'Statutory Duty for Doctors and other Public Service Personnel to Report Deaths to the Coroner'
The response paper explains how, following consultation, the Coroners and Death Certification Bill has been amended to include a duty on registered medical practitioners to report specific deaths to the coroner. The Bill now gives the Lord Chancellor the power to make regulations which set out the circumstances in which deaths must be referred to the coroner, in consultation with the Secretary of State for Health and the Chief Coroner. The response paper indicates what we are doing ahead of legislation to take this policy forward. We will work across government and with those who work in the coroners’ service to produce national guidance for and Wales to clarify which deaths should be reported to the coroner. The national guidance will form the basis of the list of reportable deaths in secondary legislation and associated guidance under the Coroners and Death Certification Bill when it is implemented.
The response paper is available on the Ministry of Justice website:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/cp1207.htm
2. Summary of responses to the consultation 'Cremation Regulations; Consolidation and Modernisation'
This response paper outlines the need for modernisation and consolidation of the current system. It explains the Government’s intention to introduce the right of the bereaved family to inspect the medical certificates completed by the treating doctor and the independent doctor prior to cremation being authorised. The response paper is available on the Ministry of Justice website: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/cp1107.htm
The Department of Health has also published today the summary of responses to the consultation on improving the process of death certification. It is available at:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Responsestoconsultations/DH_084949
INFLUENZA PANDEMIC: SOME CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS
The General Register Office has issued a consultation paper: "Guidance on death registration and associated Death Certification, Coroner and Burial / Cremation processes" which is available on the GRO website. However you can click here to download a copy.
The Department of Health has issued a consultation paper: "Pandemic Influenza: Guidance on the management of death certification and cremation certification" which is available on the DH website. However you can click here to download a copy. .
UPDATE RE DRAFT CORONER'S BILL
You will probably be aware that there was no mention of a Coroner's Bill in the Queen's speech of 6/11/2007. The COA has been advised that a revised Charter for Bereaved People will shortly be published and it is hoped that there will be a meeting between the COA and Bridget Prentice MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
JOB VACANCIES
for Coroner's Officers and Assistants, as notified to the site administrator by employers, will be available in this area as pdfs.
There are currently no vacancies known to the COA
Generic job description and person specification
Following enquiries from employers for a standard job description for the role of coroner’s officer, this issue was discussed by the COA with the MoJ coroner’s unit and it was agreed that the COA would develop a generic job description.
The COA training group researched a number of examples from around the country and together with their combined experience as practitioners and managers has now produced for circulation, a generic job description and generic person specification. Click here to download. We consider this accurately reflects the breadth and scope of the role
****MEMBERS: USE YOUR FORUM NOW FOR DISCUSSIONS & CHATS ****
When accessing this site COA members will be able view all the latest announcements, future events, and collaborate with other Coroners Officers on topical issues.
Non-members can find out about:
- the role of the Coroner's Officer
- the history of the COA
- Coroner's Officers' office details
- forthcoming events
- information about joining the Association
THINKING OF JOINING THE COA?
Some benefits of becoming a member are:
- Members receive regular newsletters
- Members have access to the members' area of the COA website
- Members pay reduced fees for COA conferences, symposia and training days
- Members receive advance notification of COA conferences and training events before non-members
- Members are given the opportunity to contribute positively towards our future
- Members have invaluable networking opportunities with other Coroner's Officers
There are some different types of membership available — Full; Affiliate; Associate; Overseas
Full members:
Those persons responsible to one of Her Majesty's Coroners who have an investigative role in the procedure for dealing with sudden, unexpected or unnatural deaths
Full members are eligible to hold position on the Council and are entitled to vote on any matter balloted
Subscription: £60.00 per annum for full membership plus an initial joining fee of £15.00.
Affiliate members:
someone who does not qualify as above but who shows a proper interest in the Association and whose nomination is supported by an existing full or Associate member.
Affiliate members are not eligible to stand as an officer on the Council but may be co-opted to the Council
Affiliate members have no entitlement to vote on any matter balloted
Subscription: £15.00 per annum for Affiliate membership plus an initial joining fee of £3.75
Associate members:
persons who held such a post as defined above prior to their retirement from employment, shall be eligible to remain as members of the Association - providing that they were previously a full member of the Association
Associate members are eligible to hold position on the Council and are entitled to vote on any matter balloted
Subscription: £15.00 per annum for Associate membership plus an initial joining fee of £3.75
Overseas members:
persons who work overseas and perform a similar role to a Coroner's Officer
Overseas members are not eligible to hold position on the Council but are entitled to vote on any matter balloted
Subscription: £15.00 per annum for Overseas membership plus an initial joining fee of £3.75
If you would like to become a member of the Coroner's Officers Association - or would like more information please contact the Memberhip Coordinator via coronersofficer@googlemail.com
