Verification of Death
Course fees | Course dates | Course length | Entry requirements
Why choose this course?
- At the end of the course, you'll be able to discuss the legal implications and requirements to lawfully verify the fact of an expected death.
- You will have developed all the relevant skills in order to determine an expected death.
- Upon completing the course you will receive a Certificate of Attendance.
About the course
This one day short course is part of a Professional Development Programme run by the University of Derby. You'll learn alongside other health and social care professionals working in a variety of care settings. The short course is delivered by a range of staff with practice and academic expertise in this area including a Coroner, Funeral Director, Forensic Scientist, Police staff and university staff.
On successful completion of the course you'll receive a certificate of achievement to contribute towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Schedule for the day:
- 9.15am Registration
- 9.30am Why Practitioner Death? - you'll cover the history and changes of practice and why these changes have occured. Delivered by Mrs Michelle Brown, who is a specialist in palliative care from the University of Derby.
- 10.00am Communication skills - you'll look into the types of communication that's involved at this time and how appropriate that type of communication is. Delivered by Dr Tony Daly, Senior Lecturer in Nursing and Health Care Practice at University of Derby.
- 11.15am Coffee break
- 11.30am Verification Procedure (a) Theory and Verification Procedure Practical (b) - you'll look into the legal position for nurses and review the guidance on verification of death from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), identifying what to look out for to give the most appropriate referral to the Police or coroner. In the practical session we'll demonstrate the checks that need to be done for verification and then discuss the paperwork that needs to be completed. Delivered by Carol Vaughan from the University of Derby
- 12.15pm Lunch break
- 1.00pm Role of the Undertaker - you'll discuss their role in its entirety from death to disposal, considering the legal documentation that is required for disposal of a body. Delivered by Jennifer Roome, who is a Funeral Director
- 2.00pm Coffee break
- 2.15pm What the Police Need to Know - you'll discuss the actions of the police when they are called to a death, what they need to know and who will be involved. Delivered by WPC Ros Manson, from Nottingham Constabulary
- 2.45pm What to do with a Potential Crime Scene - you'll explore how to protect a potential crime scene, the role of the forensic investigators, and the implications of a healthcare professional moving evidence at the scene. You'll also look at how forensic investigations support the police, coroner and subsequent court cases. Delivered by Jonathan Wright, from the University of Derby
- 3.15pm Role of the Coroner - you'll develop an understanding as to what the coroner expects verifiers to do regarding the paperwork, and how to conduct yourself if called to the coroners court. Delivered by Dr. Robert Hunter, H.M. Coroner, Derbyshire.
- 4.45pm Evaluation
- 5.00pm End of the course
Helping your career
A nurse cannot legally certify death - this is one of the few activities required by law to be carried out by a registered medical practitioner. In the event of death, a registered nurse may confirm or verify death has occurred, providing there is an explicit local protocol in place to allow such an action, which includes guidance on when other authorities, e.g. the police or the coroner, should be informed prior to removal of the body.
Nurses undertaking this responsibility must only do so providing they have received appropriate education and training and have been assessed as competent. The Code says:
- You must have the knowledge and skills for safe and effective practice when working without direct supervision
- You must recognise and work within the limits of your competence
- You must keep your knowledge and skills up to date throughout your working life
- You must take part in appropriate learning and practice activities that maintain and develop your competence and performance. They must also be aware of their accountability when performing this role.
Who will benefit?
All health and social care professionals will find this course useful.
How you'll learn
You'll be assessed through a simulation.
Course dates
- 9 March 2012. This will be held at our Kedleston Road site.
Course length
1 dayCourse fees
There are 23 free places available for:
- Nurses in the private sector
- Health care assistants in the private sector
- Social care workers in either statutory, private or voluntary sectors.
To find out if you are entitled to a free place please complete the booking form. We will then be in touch to let you know if you have secured a free place.
For NHS staff the cost is £200.
Cheques should be made payable to the University of Derby and sent to Julia Pooley, N215c, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby, DE22 1GB.
But please check whether you are entitled to a free place before you send any payment.
The assessment charge is included in the price, but there is an opportunity to re-sit the OSCE if needed for no additional charge.
