HC Deb 13 April 1999 vol 329 cc108-9W
Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 1999,Official Report, column 5, on Mental Health Institutions (Deaths), if the Health Service Guidelines (92)8 issued in January 1992

include (i) guidance on the timescale and (ii) a maximum delay for the notification of relatives following the death of a patient in hospital. [80560]

Mr. Hutton

Health Service Guidance (92)8 states that arrangements for informing relatives following the death of a patient in hospital should be a matter of urgency. Specific procedures are for National Health Service trusts to decide.