The Royal College of Pathologists hosted an event on 20 September 2018 to support the implementation of medical examiners. The event was held at the Royal College of Physicians, it was open to all, and there were a total of 227 delegates in attendance from the NHS, coroners, registrars, faith groups, funeral directors, bereavement services and others interested in the introduction of medical examiners.  Further events will be held in January and April 2019 prior to national implementation from April 2019.

The Royal College of Pathologists is the lead college for medical examiners, and the event was jointly chaired by the president, Professor Jo Martin and former president, Dr Suzy Lishman.  Aidan Fowler, the National Director of Patient Safety for NHS England and NHS Improvement, highlighted the commitment to appoint the National Medical Examiner in the short term.  Aidan also referenced the proposed employment structure where medical examiners and medical examiner officers will be based in the NHS, with a separate professional line of accountability from the employing organisation. Jeremy Mean, the Programme Director for the introduction of medical examiners at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), outlined funding available to support set up and recruitment of the system. 

A full report on the event is available below and you can find out more about the medical examiners initiative on the medical examiners pages of the College website.