This can still be done remotely by GPs if the death is an expected death
This information is sourced from the BMA, and the RCGP:
- Doctors are not required to verify death
- Nurses and other HCPs (eg trained care home staff, paramedics) who have been trained to verify death can do so if in attendance
- If there is no trained person in attendance who can verify the death, and the death is an expected death, GPs can consider verifying death remotely using the remote verification of death protocol and remote support eg by a care worker
- If relatives/friends of the deceased wish to support remote verfication of death before the undertaker arrives, care needs to be taken to ensure this is appropriate and conducted sensitively
- If non medical professionals feel uncomfortable to support the process then GPs should visit to verify death
