Who are Medical Examiners and Medical Examiner Officers?

Since 2019 senior NHS doctors have had the opportunity to receive specialist training and spend some of their time working as Medical Examiners at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. Alongside other specially trained staff, their job is to give independent advice into causes of deaths – except for deaths which have to be reviewed by a Coroner.

The Medical Examiners ensure that all deaths are reviewed by someone who is independent and who was not involved in the patient’s care. The Medical Examiner will work with the GP to ensure that the information contained on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), is correct and that referrals to the Coroner are made, if necessary, in a timely and appropriate manner to avoid delays.

Medical Examiners and their staff (usually called Medical Examiner Officers) offer families and carers an opportunity to raise questions or concerns about the cause of death of a loved one or about the care they received beforehand. This will usually be done over the phone and if required a meeting can be arranged.

A key role of the Medical Examiner is to make it easier for the bereaved to understand the wording on the Medical Certificate which explains the cause of death. Medical Examiners also look at the relevant medical records and discuss the causes of death with the doctor filling in the MCCD.

Coroners

Some deaths must be notified to the Coroner. When the Coroner starts an investigation, he or she will investigate the death independently – although the Medical Examiner may still provide expert medical advice to the Coroner.

Further information in relation to Coroners can be found on the Ministry of Justice website, as the government are responsible for the guidance. Alternatively, you can e-mail:[email protected]

What questions will I be asked when the Medical Examiner’s Office contact me?

The Medical Examiner or their staff will explain what is written on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and what it means and will ask if you have any questions or concerns.

They will also discuss the Medical Examiner’s review and ask if there are any concerns or questions about the care the person received before their death. This is the best time for you to raise questions and speak about anything that concerns you.

You will have the opportunity to ask further questions, if you wish to do so. In instances, where the Medical Examiner will not be able to answer your questions immediately, the Medical Examiner will assist in seeking answers, as appropriate, and advise you about sources of additional support available.

Why am I being asked if I have any concerns?

A discussion with a Medical Examiner or their staff provides you with an opportunity to have an open and honest conversation and address any worries or concerns with someone who was not involved in providing care to the person who died.

It could be as simple as helping you to understand more about the treatment and cause/s of death or to understand the medical language used. There may be something about the care which you think did not feel right – this is an opportunity to ask questions.

The Medical Examiner will provide an independent view of causes of death and the care provided. Medical Examiners and their staff will discuss your thoughts, questions and concerns and if they find issues with care that need further investigation will refer these on.

As well as answering your questions, this can help us to provide better care for patients, their families and carers by recognising ways in which care can be improved in the future.

Can I nominate someone else to talk, if it’s too difficult for me?

Yes, the Medical Examiner or their staff may contact you to ask who you would like us to talk to instead or you can let the medical team know if you would rather appoint someone else as a first point of contact.

The Medical Examiner or Medical Examiner Officer will usually contact you by phone, however, we can make other arrangements if you let us know.

What if I do not want to speak to the Medical Examiner or their staff or I do not want to tell them about my concerns?

Medical Examiners are independent, so we would like you to speak to them or their staff, if possible. They will help explain things to you and are specially trained to answer your questions.

However, we understand this is a difficult time for many people and so speaking to someone is completely your choice. If you are not sure, you can contact the Medical Examiner or their staff on:

Telephone: 01902 445863 / 01902 444072Email: [email protected]

They can give you more information which will help you decide if you want to go ahead – they are specially trained to help people during difficult times and will be very understanding and supportive of your wishes.

If Medical Examiners find any potential issues, they will be able to raise these with people responsible for the care of the person who died or refer the issues on to someone who can investigate further.

Speaking with the Medical Examiner and Medical Examiner Officers can help improve the care provided by the NHS to other patients and carers in future.

What would happen if something was not right?

The Medical Examiner and Medical Examiner Officers are here to listen to your questions and concerns, provide answers if possible and, if necessary, pass them on to someone who can investigate further.

Medical Examiners will not investigate further themselves, as they must complete their work within set time limits for the death certification process.

Will funeral plans or release of the body take longer?

We make every effort to avoid any delays and work with families and carers to meet the legal requirements for registering deaths and therefore it is not anticipated that the funeral plans or release of the body will take longer.

What can I do if I have questions or concerns about the Medical Examiner process?

If you are not satisfied with the Medical Examiner’s advice, we suggest you discuss this with staff from the Medical Examiner’s office in the first instance. If you are still not satisfied, you can contact either:

Patient Advice and Liaison Service team Telephone: 01902 695362 Email [email protected]

The GP Practice that the death certificate was issued from.

How can I contact the Medical Examiner office?

You can contact the Medical Examiner office either by phone or email:

Telephone: 01902 445863 / 01902 444072Email: [email protected] opening hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm

Medical Examiners Programme – Data Sharing Statement

The Community Support Team offers information and advice to people living in Wolverhampton to improve their independence and wellbeing.

The team works with people offering ‘bespoke’ support, reconnecting with local neighbourhoods and communities to reduce isolation and promote positive social wellbeing.

Working closely with communities and local voluntary groups the team have been able to link people to activities that are happening in their local areas. This has had a positive outcome for people who have been able to continue living in their own homes in their local neighbourhoods.

‘I didn’t know so much was happening on my doorstep. I haven’t had anyone to speak to for months since coming out of hospital. The luncheon club is great, and they play bingo to’.

‘I have been on my own for a while, I didn’t know how lonely I was. Now I have a weekly telephone call arranged by the community team, thank you’.

The team works with people to identify what they need to improve their social wellbeing, this varies from access to shopping and cleaning services to linking with social groups and befriending services.

If you would like further information or would like to speak to a member of the team, please call 01902 553445 or email [email protected].

What is Social Prescribing?

It is a non-medical approach to improving your health and wellbeing. It can help you to have more control over your own health and find ways to improve how you feel in a way that suits you.

Who is it for?

• Young People who may feel isolated & want support to meet other people
• Young People who may feel low or a bit anxious and might feel better joining a social group
• Young People who may have a long term chronic health condition which would be helped through community activities
• Young People who may need help
• to find support or advice with practical issues such as money or housing
• Young People who may want help and support with their wellbeing and education.

How does it work?

Social prescribing is not designed to replace medical support, but getting involved with local groups & activities can help you get better and feel better faster than medicine alone.

Your Link Worker might introduce you to a community group, a new activity or a local club. They may help you to meet new people or, they might help you find information or access advice about a particular issue.

We link young people into things like:

Friendship groups, sporting groups, arts & crafts, community youth provision, access to advice about health and wellbeing, training & education or information about managing your health.

In summary

Once we get the referral a Link Worker will contact you within a few days. They will arrange to meet you at a place where you feel most comfortable (such as GP surgery, school or your home).

Your Link Worker is there to listen to you, and put you in touch with people and activities that might help you to feel better.

Together you will agree a plan to access the groups and services you have chosen which may include them coming with you for the first time.

We will contact you to check that the plan we have put in place is working for you or if you need anything else.

How do I get involved?

A referral can be made by a GP on behalf of young people who are aged 13-17 years old, registered with a Wolverhampton GP.

Physiotherapists now available for first consultations at the GP practice.

Around one in five people book to see their GP when they experience bone, joint or muscle problems, when they could actually be safely and effectively seen by a physiotherapist at the first point of contact.

First Contact Physiotherapists have expertise in the assessment and management of bone, joint and muscle problems. They assess patients, diagnose their condition, give advice on how best to manage the problem and if needed refer for investigations or to other specialist services. 

If you have bone, joint and muscle problems, please contact your GP practice and ask for an appointment with one of our First Contact Physiotherapists.  Due to the COVID 19 pandemic currently the service is open for telephone and video assessments with the option for face to face assessments if needed at Alfred Squire Road Health Centre, Coalway Road Surgery, Penn Manor Medical Centre and West Park Surgery.

In conjunction with Embrace, RWT PCN are happy to provide a sexual health service to our patients. You will be able to book the following:

• Cervical Smear 
• Coil Check 
• Repeat Pill 
• New Pill
• Repeat Patch/Vaginal Ring
• Full STI Screen as long as patient asymptomatic 
• Implant Removal/Fit Consultation 
• Coil Fit/Removal Consultation 
• Contraception Consultation/advice
• Repeat Depo injections

Some of the appointments can be done virtually with a second face to face appointment, dependant on your treatment. The services are provided by a multi-disciplinary team therefore your appointment could be with the sexual health nurse or a GP.

Appointments are available across Wolverhampton and your practice will be able to help you find the closest clinic to you.

Did you know our practice is working closely with local pharmacists to support you with certain minor health conditions?

It may be more appropriate to have your NHS consultation with a trained pharmacist instead of the GP practice. You can choose a pharmacy convenient to you and we will arrange this for you.

Your consultation will either be by phone or video call, or you can go into the pharmacy. With your consent, the pharmacist will let us know what happened at your consultation to make sure your medical record is updated.

Ask your GP practice for more information.

The Pharmacy team provide expert medicines knowledge and guidance to both patients and other members of the multi-disciplinary clinical team.

We offer evidence-based medicines advice helping patients to achieve their best outcome from their medicines therapy.  Patients can book a person–centred clinical medication review to go through any medicines queries they may have. These reviews can be face to face or over virtual to suit your needs.

Pharmacists within RWT PCN also run clinics for patients, specialising in cardiovascular diseases and lipids, type 2 diabetes and thyroid issues, and the management of chronic kidney disease.

Taking antibiotics when they are not needed encourages harmful bacteria that live inside you to become resistant. That means that antibiotics may not work when you really need them. This puts you and your family at risk of a more severe or longer illness.

Many common illnesses only last a few days and get better on their own helped by practising self-care;

• Earache (middle ear infection) most people are well by 8 days 
• Sore throat most people are well by 7–8 days
• Sinusitis (adults only) most people are well by 14–21 days 
• Cold most people are well by 14 days 
• Cough or bronchitis most people are well by 21 days

If you or a family member is feeling unwell, have a cold or flu and you haven’t been prescribed antibiotics, here are some effective self-care ways to help you feel better: 

• Ask your pharmacist to recommend medicines to help with symptoms or pain.
• Get plenty of rest. 
• Make sure you or your child drink enough to avoid feeling thirsty. 
• Fever is a sign the body is fighting the infection and usually gets better by itself in most cases. You can use paracetamol if you or your child is uncomfortable as a result of a fever. 
• Make sure to use a tissue for your nose and wash your hands frequently to avoid spreading your infection to family and friends.

If you’re not starting to improve by these guide times or are concerned, contact your GP or call NHS 111.

You can find out more about becoming an antibiotic guardian at https://antibioticguardian.com

We will not discuss any details of your visit with anybody else unless you give us permission to do so.

You are also welcome to book confidential appointments with a clinician where you will have the opportunity to discuss, amongst other things, dietary and skin conditions, drugs and alcohol, contraception and sexual health.

Free Chlamydia Screening for Under-25s

We are now offering free Chlamydia screening for patients under the age of 25 within the surgery. Come into the surgery and ask one of our receptionists for a Chlamydia test pack, then simply follow the instructions in the pack and bring it back to reception. Your test results will not be disclosed to anybody who is not directly involved in the Chlamydia Screening Programme, including us at the surgery – unless of course you wish to be treated here.

For more information on the ‘RU SURE?’ Chlamydia Screening Programme visit this link: https://www.rusureblackcountry.nhs.uk/