MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
News Release (135/08) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 3
November 2008
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.
http://www.justice.gov.uk