Medical Examiners
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has plans to conduct a review of the Medical Examiner system introduced in September 2024.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
The National Medical Examiner (NME) is responsible for oversight of the medical examiner system and provides guidance and professional leadership to medical examiners in England and Wales.
The NME publishes an annual report which provides a review of how medical examiners have fulfilled their functions and how service improvements may be made. The latest report, published on the 6 July 2026, reflects on how the statutory system continues to be implemented smoothly, reporting unprecedented reductions in unnecessary referrals to coroners, a 99.7% reduction of uncertified deaths, and ensuring the bereaved remain at the heart of the reforms, with half a million bereaved taking up the opportunity to ask questions, and raise concerns with a medical examiner in 2025.
The University of Birmingham, RAND, and the Cambridge Evaluation Centre are currently conducting an evaluation of the 2024 death certification reforms and the medical examiner system and is scheduled to publish their findings by the end of 2026.
The Department is monitoring the introduction and implementation of the death certification reforms and continues work to drive improvement.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →