UHNM Bereavement Centre receives special recognition

The Bereavement Centre at University Hospitals of North Midlands has received special recognition for the team’s efficient and timely approach to death administration, for patients who sadly pass away whilst an inpatient at UHNM.

The local Coroner as well as Stoke-on-Trent Registration Service, have both recently acknowledged the working practices and successful implementation of the Medical Examiner Service within the Bereavement Centre.  UHNM was recognised by the General Register Office (GRO) as one of the top-performing Trusts in the Midlands for turnaround of Medical Certificates of Cause of Death. As a result of the team’s hard work and dedication; bereaved families are able to register the death and arrange a funeral for their loved one in a timely manner.

Vickie Poole, Head of Bereavement & Medical Examiner Services, said: “Since implementing a Medical Examiner Service within the Bereavement Department in October 2019, we have worked extremely hard to embed the new death certification system into the Trust. It has provided an opportunity for us to revamp and raise the profile of the Bereavement Centre, and we are extremely proud of how our enhanced new service has improved the experience of bereaved relatives at UHNM.

“It is wonderful for the service and the team to receive special recognition as a centre of excellence, we are now looking forward to our next challenge of the Medical Examiner system becoming statutory in April 2024, which will bring further opportunities for the team to continue to support families through the practicalities of losing a loved one.”