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Relative support

Story from nhs.uk

"Relative support"

About: William Harvey Hospital (Ashford)

Please provide 7 day a week cover to enable people to collect personal effects and the medical certificate as quickly as possible .this is a very stressful time made so much worse by this dreadful service

The poor nurses do their best and bear the brunt of the frustrations

People work and very often only get a little time at the weekend to collect things

Closing at 4 is ridiculous

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Response from William Harvey Hospital (Ashford) 8 years ago
William Harvey Hospital (Ashford)

Submitted on 25/10/2015 at 18:55
Published on nhs.uk on 26/10/2015 at 01:30

I am so sorry that you are disappointed by this service.

Sadly, it is a 'working week' service and the RSOs (Relatives' Support Office) are part-time.

The RSOs provide advice that the Trust endeavours to provide the Medical Cause of Death Certificate within three working days. This is because the doctor who provided assistance at the point of death has to complete the paperwork and they may well not be available if they have a day off after working the weekends.

There are also strict, legal circumstances where the doctor concerned has to refer the death to the Coroner (e.g. if the death is within 24 hours of admission to the hospital).

However, as neither the Coroner's office and the Registrar's office work at the weekend, it would not be possible to register a death until after the weekend.

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