Post mortem, standard practice ?

[Mr_P]

A few years ago a friends Granny died at home in her mid 90's and they wanted to do a post mortem, they kicked up a fuss and it didn't go ahead.

Just heard a distant relative has passed away in his mid 80's and in hospital and they are doing a post mortem and aren't sure when the funeral will be.

Is this Harold Shipmans fault ? Seems like a complete waste of money to this layman.

 

[MMUK]

Usually a PM will only be ordered if there is doubt over the cause of death (or if it's a potential criminal matter). It may be that the passing was sudden and without warning, completely unrelated to the reason your relative was in hospital. If the direct family were to ask, they are obliged to explain why they are doing a PM.

 

[Steve Maskery]

I think they have to do a PM if the death is sudden and unexpected and the decesed has not been seen by a doctor in the previous I-can't-remember-how-many days.

I guess it depends on why he was in hospital and whether or not death was the likely consequence.

 

[katellwood]

I think they have to do a PM if the death is sudden and unexpected and the decesed has not been seen by a doctor in the previous I-can't-remember-how-many days.

I guess it depends on why he was in hospital and whether or not death was the likely consequence.

14 days or if the reason the person saw the Dr was not related/connected to the subsequent death i.e. the Dr not able to issue a death certificate

 

[Bod]

Yes.
If the Coroner is involved, it is a legal requirement, you have no choice. (Scotland is different)

Bod

 

[Kalimna]

At least in Scotland, a post mortem examination is not standard. The documentation has changed recently, such that a PM can be requested by the medical team but refused by the family. However the request can only be made if the physician completing the death certificate is already satisfied that a correct cause of death is known. In other words , a PM can only add information, not change the outcome.
If there is any doubt as to the cause of death, then the procurator fiscal (Scottish coroner) will be contacted, whether criminality suspected or not. The PF may, or may not, order a PM, and in this instance the family have no powers to object

Hope this sheds a little light.

Adam

 

[Mr_P]

Thanks for all the responses.

Yes they both died quite suddenly so that probably explains things, putting aside the wasted money it's reassuring to know that the state is curious, regardless of your age.

Thanks again.

 

[jpt]

I dont think it is a waste of money in any way, my mother died last week quite unexpectedly and the way she was found suggested it might have been a fall which brings up all sorts of horrible scenarios.

They did a post morten and found it was due to sudden heart failure so has put our minds at rest. Not everyone will get the answers they need but in this case we did.

john

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

sorry to hear about your Mother John. The reason you state about doing a pm is a very good one.