§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue guidance on the consistent completion of death certificates, when the death occurred in hospital, in respect of the contributory and principal causes of death. [49899]
§ Mrs. LiddellThe information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.
Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Andrew Mackinlay, dated 23 July 1998:
As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on guidance on the consistent completion of death certificates, when the death occurred in hospital, in respect of the contributory and principal causes of death.The ONS places great importance on the quality of the information collected through the deaths registration system and constantly seeks to ensure that this remains fit for purpose, reliable and authoritative.Guidance notes on completion are contained in every book of death certificates. This meets the legal obligations for the inclusion of such instruction and the recommendations of the World Health Organisation. These notes were last updated in 1997.In July 1997, the Deputy Chief Medical Statistician wrote to all consultants and principals in general practice reminding them of the need to certify deaths promptly and accurately, to refer deaths to the coroner for further investigation where appropriate, and also to remind them of the existence of the guidance notes in each booklet of death certificates.The ONS recently produced a video and reading material entitled "Deaths counts", aimed at medical students and doctors, to teach them how to complete the death certificates, including the legal obligations on doctors and registrars. These have been sent to all medical schools and post-graduate deans in England and Wales.