Letter from Minister of Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport regarding the Death Certification Review Service, 5 July 2021
Dear Convenor,
I am writing to inform you that the Death Certification Review Service (DCRS) is returning to pre-pandemic, standard levels of reviewing Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCD) following reduced pressure on the service from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This update follows the letter from Ms Gougeon MSP, former Minister for Public Health and Sport, sent to the Committee on 18 January 2021, highlighting further changes to DCRS levels of reviewing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This update also comes at the earliest opportunity following the establishment of the Committee following the May election.
In that letter, the Committee were advised that from 18 January 2021, changes had been implemented to reduce the burden on front-line doctors by limiting reviews to hybrid Level 1 reviews1. Detailed Level 2 reviews, which are more resource intensive for hospital administrative staff, were limited to those which need escalation from Level 1 reviews and for interested person reviews. The Committee were notified that the position had been reviewed every two weeks and the number of reviews to be undertaken by DCRS was reduced from 12% to 8% of all eligible MCCD on the 18 January 2021.
Since the 18 January change, officials have continued to review available data (e.g. excess deaths, and hospitalisation and ICU numbers) every two weeks and regularly increased the reviewing rates, as appropriate and in agreement with DCRS. Officials’ most recent review of available data alongside consideration of current DCRS caseload has informed our decision, in agreement with DCRS, to return to business as usual review levels; the standard 12% (10% at Level 1 reviews and 2% at level 2 reviews). This is a positive step and reaches business as usual pre-pandemic levels. It also reflects the improved situation on the ground with respect to hospitalisations and deaths.
These changes came into effect on Monday 10 May 2021 at 09:30. Interested Person Reviews and applications for repatriation where the deceased died abroad but is to be buried or cremated in Scotland will continue and if pre-pandemic levels are expected this would add approximately 2% to the review levels. The situation will continue to be reviewed in case there are any changes required.
Yours sincerely,