We wish to offer our deepest sympathy to you and your family for the loss of your loved one.

Useful contact information

When a person dies you are given a lot of information and it can be difficult to take it all in.

If you have a question regarding the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) or the death registration process contact the Medical Examiner’s Office on 01228 814270 or 01946 523489

If you require bereavement support or advice and guidance around practical issues such as funeral arrangements contact Bereavement Services on 01228 616878 Cumberland Infirmary or 01946 523309 West Cumberland Hospital

If your loved one died at home or in the community contact their GP practice for advice.

Visiting your loved one

You may wish to spend some time with your loved one after they have died. If your loved one is resting in the mortuary at The Cumberland Infirmary or West Cumberland Hospital there is a special room set aside for visiting at each site. It is important to make an appointment before you attend.

Please use the contact numbers below to arrange a visit:

Cumberland Infirmary Monday – Friday 09.00 – 16.00 Tel 01228 814522

West Cumberland Hospital Monday – Friday 09.00 – 16.00 Tel 01946 693181

Alternatively you may prefer to visit your loved one when they have been taken into the care of your chosen funeral director.

Tissue donation

When someone dies it is often possible for tissue to be donated to improve the lives of others. Eyes, heart valves, skin bone & tendons can be donated. Most tissue needs to be taken within 24 hours of a patient’s death but sometimes it is possible to donate up to 48 hours after.

If you would like to discuss tissue donation contact:

The National Referral centre on 0800 432 0559 (24 hour service).

A ward nurse, community nurse or the Bereavement Service can contact the Tissue Donation National Referral Centre on your behalf if you feel unable to do so.

For more information refer to: www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/what-we-do/transplantation-services/tisssue-and-eye-services

The Death Certificate & Medical Examiner process

In most cases after someone dies a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) will be completed by a doctor who has treated them. This could be a hospital doctor or a GP. This will be done as soon as possible but usually takes several working days.

In some cases the death will be referred to the Coroner who will decide whether a post mortem examination is required.

It is a statutory requirement that both of these processes are overseen by the Medical Examiner, a specially trained doctor who has not been involved in the care of the person who has died. You will receive a telephone call from the Medical Examiner’s Office or from the Coroner’s Office within a few working days of the death to advise on next steps such as registering the death and collecting the death certificate.

The death registration process

When the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is completed it will be sent electronically to the registration service who will contact you to arrange an appointment to register the death. At this appointment you may purchase as many copies of the death certificate as you need. If a MCCD is not issued the Coroner’s Office will be able to provide interim death certificates and will advise you when the death can be registered.

The death certificate is collected from the Registration Office not the hospital.

For further advice regarding death registration contact:

Cumberland Registration Service Tel - 0300 373 3730 - Email registration.service@cumberland.gov.uk

Personal property of hospital patients

If your loved one has died in a hospital their property should be taken home at the time of death. This will minimise the risk of the property being mislaid. If this is not possible collection should be arranged at the earliest opportunity. Please telephone the ward or the Bereavement Service in advance to make arrangements for collection.

Tel 01228 523444 to be connected to the appropriate Ward

Bereavement Team Tel  01228 616878 Cumberland Infirmary or 01946 523309 West Cumberland Hospital.

Confidentiality

‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.

For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:

Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961

Feedback

We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:

pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818

If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:

complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302