MSPs back death certificate Bill despite concerns

Plans to introduce of a new system of scrutinising death certificates have been backed by MSPs, despite doubts over its ability to help detect serial killers such as Harold Shipman.

Holyrood's health and sport committee has given its support to the Certificate of Death (Scotland) Bill in its stage one report published yesterday, however it has outlined a series of concerns about the legislation.

The Bill was brought forward to update Scotland's burial and cremation legislation, and coincided with the need to examine the processes surrounding death certification following the inquiry into the case of Dr Shipman, the GP thought to be responsible for the deaths of hundreds of his patients.

It proposes to bring in a team of medical reviewers to examine random sample deaths for accuracy as part of an annual audit.

In its report, the committee said while it accepted no system can eliminate the possibility of criminal activity by, for example, a serial killer, the initial proposals contained in the Bill would in fact provide less rigorous scrutiny than are presently in place.

Christine Grahame MSP, committee convener, said: "There are areas where we would like more clarity from the government. It is essential that the public has confidence in the system, both in terms of accurately recording public health data and identifying possible cases of medical negligence or criminal activity.

"The committee was particularly interested in the role of technology. The new system should not unduly delay the disposal of a body as this would cause practical difficulties and the Bill should be amended to address these matters."