SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 14Review of medical certificates of cause of death and cremations: Scotland
PART 1Review of medical certificates of cause of death
Power to suspend review of certain medical certificates of cause of death
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1
This paragraph applies at any time the Scottish Ministers are of the view that—
a
the incidence or transmission of coronavirus constitutes a serious and imminent threat to public health, and
b
the exercise of the powers conferred by this paragraph will be an effective means of expediting the disposal of bodies and better utilise medical resources.
2
The Scottish Ministers may, by direction, suspend—
a
the referral of medical certificates of cause of death for review under section 24A of the 1965 Act,
b
the right of an interested person to apply for a review of a medical certificate of cause of death under section 4(1) of the 2011 Act, and
c
the review of medical certificates of cause of death under section 8(1) of the 2011 Act.
3
Before making a direction under sub-paragraph (2), the Scottish Ministers must consult the senior medical reviewer (or, if unavailable, the medical reviewer who is to perform the senior medical reviewer's functions in such circumstances).
4
A direction under sub-paragraph (2)—
a
is to have effect until it is revoked by the Scottish Ministers making a direction to that effect;
b
must suspend all of the matters in paragraphs (a) to (c) of that sub-paragraph;
c
may be made on more than one occasion.
5
The Scottish Ministers must—
a
give a copy of any direction made under this paragraph to the Registrar General, and
b
publish it in such manner as they consider appropriate.