§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What guidelines are given to health authorities and primary care trusts on the definition of cause of death (other than by disease) on death certificates. [HL3951]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe information requested falls within the responsibility of the Registrar General, who has been asked to reply.
Letter from the Registrar General, Len Cook, to Lord Stoddart of Swindon, dated 7 September 2004.
As Registrar General, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what guidelines are given to health authorities and primary care trusts on the definition of cause of death (other than by disease) on death certificates. [HL3951].
Under the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953, guidelines to certifiers on completing medical certificates of cause of death (MCCD) are included at the front of every book of MCCDs. These give instructions to the doctor certifying the death. MCCDs are not available without these instructions. Separate guidance is given to coroners.
Guidelines are not given to health authorities or primary care trusts. It is the responsibility of the certifier to complete the medical certificate of cause of death to the best of their knowledge and belief.
The inclusion of the term "smoking" on a death certificate is acceptable if accompanied by a medical cause of death.