We’ve appointed a Lead Medical Examiner for the first time. Peter Tanner (pictured above), a consultant pathologist who has been at our Trust for more than 30 years, will work alongside our clinicians following the death of a patient, helping to improve the entire certification process, providing additional support to bereaved relatives and clinical teams.

By independently scrutinising medical notes, and discussing any issues or concerns loved ones may have following a death, Peter and his team will help provide the most accurate death certificate. He’ll also interact with our faith communities, ensuring religious customs involving death and burial are abided by.

Peter said: “Bereaved families will almost be my patients by proxy and I’ll help to streamline the process for them. I’ll have the time to talk to them, explain things and answer their questions, providing additional support at a very difficult time.

“My role is very much there to support and work with our clinicians too, providing advice and guidance. We already have an extremely experienced Bereavement team, and I’ll be working closely with these colleagues, as well as our Mortuary staff.”

Peter’s first act in his new role is to appoint his team, working alongside him will be several part-time medical examiners, doctors from a variety of specialties, as well as three full-time medical examiner officers. The officers, non-medical staff who don’t need a healthcare background, will be key to helping this new service, which will be implemented over the next six months, run smoothly. We’ll be recruiting to these posts very soon, so look out for more information.

Peter was inspired to take on this new role after 20 years working as a pathologist for the coroner’s office, giving him a wealth of experience in examining causes of death. As Lead Medical Examiner, he will be able refer unnatural/unexpected deaths to the coroner for further investigation.

He added: “This will be an extra tier of scrutiny which will ensure death certification is as accurate as it can be, and the pastoral aspect, for staff and the bereaved, will make a big difference.

“It will be a very rewarding and worthwhile role. It will be challenging establishing a new service from scratch, however, I’m excited to take it on.”