Citation, commencement and extent

1. —(1) These Regulations may be cited as the National Medical Examiner (Additional Functions) Regulations 2024 and come into force on 9th September 2024.

(2) These Regulations extend to England and Wales.

Interpretation

2. In these Regulations—

“ the Act ” means the Coroners and Justice Act 2009;

“ attending practitioner ” has the meaning given in regulation 2 of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death Regulations 2024( 2 );

“ English NHS body ” has the meaning given in section 18A(4) of the Act (Medical Examiners: England)( 3 );

“ National Medical Examiner ” means the person appointed under section 21(1) of the Act;

“ section 19(4) Regulations ” means—

“ Welsh NHS body ” has the meaning given in section 18B(3) of the Act (Medical Examiners: Wales)( 6 ).

National Medical Examiner’s functions

3. In addition to the function( 7 ) conferred by section 21(2)(a) of the Act, the National Medical Examiner has the functions conferred by regulations 4 to 8.

Provision of advice to the Secretary of State and the Welsh Ministers

4. The National Medical Examiner must provide such advice to the Secretary of State and the Welsh Ministers as the Secretary of State or the Welsh Ministers may request, or as is necessary in the opinion of the National Medical Examiner, in relation to the functions of—

(a) attending practitioners under the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death Regulations 2024;

(b) medical examiners( 8 ).

Provision of advice to the Chief Coroner

5. The National Medical Examiner must provide such advice to the Chief Coroner as the Chief Coroner may request, or as is necessary in the opinion of the National Medical Examiner, in relation to causes of death, including in relation to the cause of death of any particular person.

Guidance to English NHS bodies and Welsh NHS bodies

6. —(1) The National Medical Examiner may issue guidance to English NHS bodies and Welsh NHS bodies in relation to—

(a) the qualification requirements for medical examiners;

(b) the qualification requirements for someone acting on behalf of a medical examiner in accordance with the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death Regulations 2024;

(c) the functions of medical examiners under section 19(4) Regulations and the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death Regulations 2024;

(d) the functions of someone acting on behalf of a medical examiner under the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death Regulations 2024;

(e) the appropriate training to be undertaken by medical examiners from time to time to ensure that they have the experience and skills necessary to carry out their functions.

(2) The National Medical Examiner may amend or revoke any guidance issued under this regulation.

(3) The National Medical Examiner must consult the Secretary of State and the Welsh Ministers before issuing, amending or revoking any guidance under this regulation.

Standards of performance for medical examiners

7. The National Medical Examiner must—

(a) prepare and publish standards of performance that medical examiners are expected to meet in exercising their functions;

(b) keep the standards of performance under review; and

(c) prepare and publish any revised standards of performance should the review suggest that to be necessary.

Reports to the Secretary of State and the Welsh Ministers

8. The National Medical Examiner must, on request by the Secretary of State or the Welsh Ministers, and at least annually, provide to the Secretary of State and the Welsh Ministers reports and information in relation to—

(a) the way in which the National Medical Examiner has exercised their functions during the period covered by the report;

(b) the way in which medical examiners have exercised their functions under section 19(4) Regulations and the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death Regulations 2024, including in relation to the meeting of the standards of performance published under regulation 7; and

(c) the way in which attending practitioners have exercised their functions under the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death Regulations 2024.