Death Registration Timeline — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

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EasyEnd of Life CareDeath Registration TimelineSCE Palliative Medicine

A 70-year-old woman with advanced breast cancer dies at 11pm on Friday in a hospice in England. The Medical Examiner service reviews the case and contacts the informant on Monday morning. By when must the death be registered?

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Correct answer: D — Within 5 days of Medical Examiner notification (in England and Wales) by an informant at the local register office

Under current legislation in England and Wales following the September 2024 Death Certification Reform, non‑coronial deaths must be registered within 5 calendar days of the Medical Examiner notifying the informant that registration can proceed ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death?utm_source=openai)). In this scenario, that 5‑day clock starts on Monday morning when the ME contacts the family. The informant must attend their local register office to complete registration. The other options are incorrect: 28 days is unrelated (commonly misremembered Tell‑Us‑Once timeframe), 24 hours is incorrect urgency, registration is not automatic, and the MCCD alone is not sufficient for legal registration.

Reference: GOV.UK: “What to do after someone dies: Register the death” and ONS: “Death Certification Reform, England and Wales” (2025), https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death