SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 13Registration of deaths and still-births
PART 1England and Wales
4Medical certificates of cause of death
1
2
A registered medical practitioner (“X”) who is not the practitioner who attended the deceased person (“D”) during D’s last illness may sign a certificate under section 22(1) of the 1953 Act (certificates of cause of death) if—
a
the practitioner who attended D is unable to sign the certificate or it is impractical for that practitioner to sign the certificate, and
b
X is able to state to the best of X’s knowledge and belief the cause of death.
3
A registered medical practitioner (“P”) may sign a certificate under section 22(1) of the 1953 Act, even in the case of a person who has not been attended during that person’s last illness by a registered medical practitioner, if P is able to state to the best of P’s knowledge and belief the cause of death.
4
Where a registered medical practitioner proposes to sign a certificate under section 22(1) of the 1953 Act in reliance on sub-paragraph (2) or (3)—
a
Forms 14 and 15 in Schedule 2 to the principal 1987 Regulations have effect as if in each case—
i
the line beginning with “Last seen” were omitted, and
ii
the words “I was in medical attendance during the above named deceased’s last illness, and that” were omitted;
b
Forms 11 and 12 in Schedule 2 to the Registration of Births and Deaths (Welsh Language) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/2089) were subject to modifications corresponding to those mentioned in paragraph (a).
5
Where a registered medical practitioner signs a certificate under section 22(1) of the 1953 Act in reliance on sub-paragraph (2) or (3)—
a
the practitioner is subject to the other duties applicable to a person who has signed such a certificate, and
b
in a sub-paragraph (2) case, the practitioner who attended the deceased is not subject to any duties in relation to such a certificate.
6
Where a registered medical practitioner signs a certificate under section 22(1) of the 1953 Act in reliance on sub-paragraph (3), regulation 41 of the principal 1987 Regulations (reference to coroner) has effect as if paragraph (1)(a) were omitted.
7
In section 20 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (medical certificate of cause of death), subsection (4) has effect as if the words “during a period of emergency” were omitted.