Since 9 September 2024, all deaths in any health setting that are not investigated by a coroner will be reviewed by NHS medical examiners. We are seeking a motivated doctor to join our well established medical examiner team.
The successful postholder will be required to join the medical examiner rota, working 1 set PA each week, with some flexibility., Medical examiners are senior doctors who scrutinise medical records to verify the clinical information on medical certificates of cause of death (MCCDs). They will ensure that appropriate referrals are made to the Coroner. They are trained in the legal and clinical elements of death certification processes. They have statutory responsibilities which are set out in regulations.
You will be based within and employed by the Trust but will have an external reporting line via the regional ME. Support is provided by a team of Medical Examiner Officers (MEOs). They will promote robust, transparent and independent scrutiny of the death certification process. They will work closely with the Coroners and Registrars of Deaths.
Please see attached job description and person specification for full details.
Before being able to take up such a post, medical examiner training must be completed leading to MRCPathME. There are 26 core modules available at:
https://www.rcpath.org/profession/medical-examiners/medical-examiner-training.html, Medical Examiners will be appropriately trained senior doctors who will verify clinical information on Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs), to ensure appropriate referrals to the Coroner and accuracy and consistency of MCCD content. They will be responsible for the scrutiny of the documentation and circumstances arising from deaths in West Suffolk Hospital. It is anticipated that all deaths in primary and secondary care will be scrutinised by the medical examiner in the future, and as a national endeavour Medical Examiners will scrutinise all deaths in England and Wales., Medical examiners will need the agreement of their current service/practice managers to be flexible in their roles. Please ensure you have the approval of your relevant manager as the role will require a degree of prospective cover as well as time to attend further CPD/training and meetings of National. Regional and local ME forums as well as occasional coroner's inquests.

Medical practitioners must be registered with a license to practise in the UK by the GMC, with at least five years experience. The candidate must have been registered as a medical practitioner throughout the previous five years as at the date of appointment.

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
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