Policy No: OP35 Version: 2.0 Name of Policy: Rapid Release of Bodies Effective From: 21/08/2012 Date Ratified 11/07/2012 Ratified SafeCare Committee Review Date 01/07/2014 Sponsor Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Quality Expiry Date 10/07/2015 Withdrawn Date This policy supersedes all previous issues. Rapid Release of Bodies v3
Version Control Version Release Author/Reviewer Ratified by/authorised by 1.0 April 2006 Trust Policy Forum 1.1 April 2008 Trust Policy Forum Date April 2006 April 2008 Changes (Please identify page no.) 2.0 21/08/2012 P Cross and J Charlton SafeCare Committee 11/07/2012 Rapid Release of Bodies v3 2
CONTENTS 1. Introduction... 4 2. Scope... 4 3. Aim of the policy... 4 4. Duties - roles and responsibilities... 4 5. Definition of terms... 5 6. Guidelines... 5 7. Staff Development and Training... 7 8. Equality and diversity... 7 9. Process for monitoring compliance with the policy... 8 10. Consultation and review of the policy... 8 11. Implementation of the policy... 8 12. Appendix 1 Audit form... 9 Rapid Release of Bodies v3 3
1. INTRODUCTION It is usual when someone dies in/at hospital, for the body to be removed to the mortuary for storage until required by the Funeral Director and also to ensure that the body is recorded in the mortuary ledger. There will be occasions, however, when the family of a deceased will want the body removed from the hospital quickly or directly from the ward area. This may be for religious or cultural reasons. For example there is a requirement that the body of a Jew or Muslim should be buried within 24hrs. However, bodies cannot be released if there is to be a Coroner s Post mortem, or if there is a significant infection risk. 2. SCOPE This policy applies to both adults and children. It guides practice in relation to the rapid release of bodies for those patients who die on hospital premises. It is for use by all members of staff that care for the dying and the bereaved, and those responsible for the deceased whilst they remain in the care of the Trust. Staff should be aware of the content of this policy. 3. AIM OF POLICY The aim of the policy is to underpin good practice around the time of death and afterwards. It is a guide for all staff to ensure that important legal and administrative requirements are met in relation to rapid release of bodies and that all relatives/carers of deceased patients are dealt with in a sensitive and caring manner. 4. DUTIES ROLE AND RESPONSIBLITIES Trust Board The Trust Board is responsible for implementing a robust system of Corporate Governance to ensure all care offered to patients conforms to expected standards of privacy and dignity, and in accordance especially with legal and equality legislation. Chief Executive The Chief Executive is ultimately responsible for ensuring effective Corporate Governance within the Trust and therefore supports the Trustwide implementation of this policy. Divisional Director The Divisional Director is the executive lead for this policy, and has executive responsibility for the corporate delivery of services relating to rapid release of bodies, and should ensure that clinical teams are aware of this policy and adhere to it if used. Chaplaincy Service The Chaplaincy Service has a responsibility for supporting the identification of spiritual, religious and pastoral need and the delivery of spiritual, religious and pastoral care to patients, relatives and carers. The chaplaincy team can support Rapid Release of Bodies v3 4
staff to ensure appropriate care is provided that is respectful of cultural or faith background. Managers All managers must be aware of this policy, and ensure they participate in appropriate training and ensure that the principles outlined in this policy are applied to practice. Medical Staff All doctors have a responsibility for ensuring that once the patient has died, the death certificate is completed properly (where this is possible) and in a timely fashion, and the patient s medical records contain the necessary Trust documentation to support rapid release if required. Mortuary Staff Mortuary Staff are responsible for the care of the deceased and their property from the time of arrival in the mortuary until release to the designated Undertaker. They must treat relatives and carers of the deceased in a sensitive and compassionate manner, and accommodate the needs and wishes of the relatives, as far as is reasonably practicable in accordance with Trust policy and procedures. Staff All members of staff are expected to maintain a caring and sensitive attitude to patients, relatives and carers. They must be aware of this policy and participate in appropriate training and ensure that the principles outlined in this policy are applied to practice. 5. DEFINITION OF TERMS 5.1 Coroner The Coroner is an independent official with responsibility under law for the medical legal investigation of certain deaths. He or she is legally obliged to enquire into the circumstances of sudden, unexplained, violent or unnatural deaths. 5.2 Coroner s Post Mortem A coroner s post mortem is carried out in many circumstances, as prescribed in law. Under these circumstances, the body cannot be released until the Coroner has satisfied himself as to the cause of death. 6. GUIDELINES To enable the removal of bodies directly from a clinical area in Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust premises 6.1 This may be able to take place in the following situations: Parents who wish to take the body of their deceased child/baby home Those whose faith demands burial within 24hrs Individual preference Rapid Release of Bodies v3 5
6.2 A body can only be released if there is a signed death certificate and it does not require a Coroner s Post Mortem. If unsure, then the case should be discussed with the Coroner s Officer or a Consultant Pathologist. If a Coroner s Post Mortem is required then this must be completed before the body can be released, and thus the body must go to the mortuary for the examination. In some cases the Post Mortem can be scheduled to allow a quick release for religious reasons, but this will require discussion with the Coroner s Officer, Mortuary Staff and Pathologist. 6.3 If no Coroner s Post mortem is required, and there is no other reason known why the body cannot be released then the body may be released directly from the clinical area under the following circumstances. If in any doubt then discuss with Consultant Pathologist. Pathologists are contactable out of hours via switchboard. 6.4 The following must be in place before the body is released:- Contact Mortuary staff (extn 2309) or if out of hours via switchboard who will assist with the process The mortuary staff member will bring mortuary ledger to clinical area for release of children and babies. For adults the mortuary staff will arrange transfer of the body to the mortuary where the undertaker will be waiting to take the body direct to the funeral home. The death certificate signed by a doctor If cremation is required then the cremation form must be completed before the body is removed (it is a requirement for the doctors completing both parts of the form to view the body, and discuss the case in order to complete the necessary forms) When releasing children or babies the mortuary ledger is to be signed by the Mortuary Technician and Senior Nurse in the clinical area. When releasing adults it is signed by the Mortuary Technician and either the funeral director or family member The Consultant in Charge and the appropriate Divisional Manager should also be informed out of courtesy Record details in clinical notes 6.5 If there is a lack of agreement between relatives as to whether the body is to be released to them or not, then the body should not be released until/if the relatives can agree. If in any doubt discuss with Coroner/Consultant Pathologist and the body should proceed to the mortuary as usual. 6.6 If the removal is not to be undertaken by a recognised undertaker but by the family, then the police must both be informed and a route to the destination given before the body is removed from Trust premises. This applies equally if the body is to be taken locally or outside of the immediate Gateshead area. If this pertains, then discuss with the Coroner s Officer. Rapid Release of Bodies v3 6
6.7 The body cannot leave the country without the Coroner s permission and requisite clearance forms. In this situation the Coroner must be informed. 6.8 Contact details for Coroner s Officer: Coroner s Officer: Routine Hours 0191 483 8192 Out of Hours 0191 454 7555 and ask for the On-Call Coroner s Officer for the Gateshead area Local police: Routine Hours 03456043043 Out of Hours As above 6.9 In the case of Jewish or Muslim deaths, where rapid release may be indicated, relevant 24 hour contact numbers are as follows if additional help or information is required from local religious leaders: Jewish faith: Jacob Kaufman Ben Roch 4901917 (Home) 07970071448 (mobile) 4783338 (Home) 07946633013 (mobile) Muslim faith: Younas Malik 4770583 (home) 07711471744 (mobile) Sajad Malik 4222045 (home) 07814281621 (mobile) Mohammed Aslem 4784278 (home) 07949247348 (mobile) 7. STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING Available study sessions relating to death and dying can be found in the Trusts Staff Development Prospectus and can be accessed via the intranet. Nurses can also access related training via the Nurse preceptorship programme and Healthcare Assistant Development Programme. Relevant modules can also be accessed through Northumbria University CPD Framework. Staff involved in caring for and supporting patients who are dying, and people who are bereaved, should have a range of formal and informal support. Staff can access this support via Occupational Health. Time should be allocated to ensure that staff are able to access the support they need. 8. EQUALITY & DIVERSITY The trust is committed to ensuring that, as far as is reasonably practical, the way we provide services to the public and the way we treat our staff reflects their individual needs and does not discriminate against individuals or groups on the grounds of any protected characteristic (Equality Act 2010). This policy has been appropriately assessed. Rapid Release of Bodies v3 7
This policy aims to ensure that appropriate procedures are in place to ensure staff deal with the rapid release of bodies for those patients who die on hospital premises in a caring and respectful way. Further advice about cultural or faith requirements is available from the Chaplaincy team, who should be contacted via switchboard. 9. PROCESS FOR MONITORING COMPLIANCE WITH THE POLICY Standard / process / issue Policy will be monitored on every occasion when it has been used, and how it operated Monitoring and audit Method By Committee Frequency Audit form Consultant SafeCare On-going Pathologist Council with assistance from the mortuary staff 10. CONSULTATION AND REVIEW The delivery and management of this policy will be reviewed annually by Safecare. This policy has been discussed during its development with the relevant local religious/community contacts to ensure it will comply with their needs. 11. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY The Bereavement Pathway Group is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the policy, including the development of training, information and promotion in collaboration with relevant parties. Rapid Release of Bodies v3 8
APPENDIX 1 Rapid Release of Bodies Audit Form Details of deceased Name/DoB/DoD/place of death (ward) Reason for need of rapid release of body Issues raised during this process Staff Involved with this rapid body release name/position/contact details Date of rapid body release Rapid Release of Bodies v3 9