Job Description

Liverpool Heart and Chest hospital have an exciting opportunity for a Medical Examiner Officer (MEO) to join our ME service. The Medical Examiner service has been created by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in response to observations made in the Third Report of the Shipman Inquiry. The introduction of the medical examiner system will promote robust, transparent and independent scrutiny of death certification processes.



The role will include supporting the Medical Examiners in their role in scrutinising the circumstances and causes of death. To be a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased patient, healthcare professionals, Coroners and Registration services.

The Medical Examiner Service will:

Strengthen safeguards for the public by providing robust, systematic and independent scrutiny of all deaths not referred directly to the Coroner.



Improve the quality of death certification, providing advice based on a review of relevant health records.



Avoid unnecessary distress for the bereaved by answering questions about the care given or certified cause of death, managing the Bereavement Services.



As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.



We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community.



We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.



Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.



Please visit our website - https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/



Please follow this link for a tour of our site - https://bit.ly/36ylsoq



To work with Medical Examiners to support them in their responsibility for overseeing the death certification process for all deceased patients at the Trust and in the community.

To establish the circumstances of individual patient deaths by performing a preliminary review of medical records to identify clinical and circumstantial information, sourcing additional details where required, for scrutiny by the Medical Examiner.

Work with the Medical Examiners to ensure proper and proportionate scrutiny of medical records.

Discuss the findings of the Medical Examiners on medical cause of death with the qualified attending practitioners.

To work closely with the Bereavement Team to act as an intermediary between the bereaved and clinicians to establish and resolve any concerns relating to a patient's death.

Discuss the content of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) with relatives of the deceased and in all cases, collect additional information. This may include the need to communicate sensitive information and offer explanations.

To assist in highlighting cases for assessment by the Structured Judgement Review team (SJR), Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP), Clinical Governance teams and the Learning Disability Review Teams (LeDeR).

To refer patients to the relevant Coroner for further investigation as instructed by the Medical Examiner- contact the medical practitioner.

To maintain an awareness of the diverse needs of users of the Medical Examiner System to ensure equality to any group defined by sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability. To offer support and pastoral care to families and colleagues and in collaboration with the Bereavement Office, facilitate effective communication between families and health care professionals.

To assist relatives in identifying appropriate information and additional / further advice and support e.g., Patient Advice Liaison Service contacts, Bereavement Office information.

To establish clear and effective channels for communicating and co-operating with all departments, wards, and relevant professionals.

To support the Lead Medical Examiner Officer in the development of protocols, guidelines, and policy as appropriate.

To manage own workload ensuring timescales are adhered to.

To continually monitor one's performance in the provision of care; ensuring professional standards are always met.