Bereavement in Hospital

Following the death of patient at Derriford, Mount Gould, Tavistock or South Hams Hospitals a member of the Plymouth Medical Examiner Service will contact the nominated contact for the deceased by 2pm the next working day.

The Medical Examiner Service provide sensitive, sympathetic support and assistance to the individual needs of bereaved relatives and carers to help them through the procedures following the death of a patient at the hospital.

Our service includes working with medical and nursing colleagues to ensure the prompt completion of all the necessary paperwork after a death as well as explaining to the bereaved how to register a death, how to find a Funeral Director.

We work very closely with the Coroner's Service, the Plymouth and Devon Registration Service and local Funeral Directors to ensure the bereaved have access to all the information and services they require.

Our publication ‘Help for Bereaved Relatives’ is available to relatives and provides useful and helpful information, at what is often a difficult and distressing time.

The service we offer

Arranging completion of the Medical Certificates for the Cause of Death to be issued by the medical staff or to arrange for the death to be reported to the coroner if necessary.
Arranging for the family to see their loved one in the Sir Jules Thorn Viewing Suite on an appointment basis for deaths at Derriford Hospital.
Liaising with hospital staff, mortuary, Coroners, Register Offices and General Practitioners.
Signposting advice from the Department of Work and Pensions.
Tracing next of kin.

Contacting the Plymouth Medical Examiner Service

We can be contacted between 9:30am and 12:30pm and 1pm until 4pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) on 01752 439492.

In order to prevent unnecessary journeys we do ask that you do not attend the department as there is no requirement to collect paperwork from the hospital, this will be discussed with you during your phone call with the Medical Examiner Service.

Support and advice

Many of us need help to deal with grief or feel the need for extra support. This help is available and many people gain support from seeking it. The following individuals and organisations may be useful.