Question

A 78-year-old man with metastatic lung cancer dies peacefully in hospital under your care. You are asked to complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). You have seen and treated him during this admission and are confident of the cause. What is the correct course of action?

Accepted Answer

Complete the MCCD stating lung cancer as the cause of death and do not refer to the coroner

Answer

Refuse to complete the MCCD because you did not see him in the last 24 hours

Answer

Refer all cancer deaths to the coroner

Answer

Ask a junior doctor who never met the patient to sign the MCCD

Answer

Delay certification until the family chooses a funeral director

Practice question

A 78-year-old man with metastatic lung cancer dies peacefully in hospital under your care. You are asked to complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). You have seen and treated him during this admission and are confident of the cause. What is the correct course of action?