John is a 85-year-old man with advanced metastatic prostate cancer who you have been managing in the community with palliative care who has died today. You fill out the death certificate. In which of the following circumstances would you be required to refer the case to the coroner?
A surgery hires a Nurse Practitioner (NP) to care for a nearby nursing home. The GPs only visit when requested by the NPs. An 87-year-old woman with dementia contracts a chest infection. Following discussions with her family, the NP decides to treat her with oral antibiotics but not to admit her. She passes away two days later, and a GP from the local out-of-hours service confirms her death. The woman’s last GP visit was five weeks ago. What should be done in this situation?
You are counselling the wife of a man who has passed away suddenly due to a heart attack. Three weeks after his death, she brings up some financial struggles she is facing. What is the determining factor for her eligibility for the Bereavement Support Payment?
The husband of a 70-year-old woman who passed away at home after a prolonged battle with liver cancer contacts you for guidance. You have recently filled out the death certificate. The woman’s spouse is inquiring about the next course of action. What would be the most suitable recommendation?
Sophie is a 84-year-old woman with a history of osteoporosis and arthritis who was discharged from hospital 4 weeks ago following a hip replacement surgery. Her GP last saw her during a home visit 3 days after discharge. She had been regularly seen by the district nurse since then. Unfortunately, she had declined significantly since her hospital admission and was found dead by her daughter this morning.
What is the appropriate course of action for the GP regarding Sophie’s death certificate?
A 75-year-old man has been recently diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. His son attends with the patient and requests more support at home. When would it be appropriate to complete a DS1500 form?
You assess a 65-year-old man with motor neuron disease. He mentions that he intends to travel to Switzerland for euthanasia if his condition worsens. What would be your initial response?
You are tasked with completing a death certificate for an 85-year-old patient under your care. She passed away yesterday due to pneumonia at home, following a joint decision made by her family and medical team not to admit her to the hospital for further treatment. The patient had a history of dementia and osteoporosis, and you had last assessed her two days prior.
The patient had recently undergone surgery for a fractured neck of femur, which she sustained after tripping on a step at home. Although her surgery had been successful and she had been recovering well, she began experiencing respiratory symptoms shortly after being discharged from the hospital. What is the appropriate course of action regarding the completion of the death certificate?
An 80-year-old woman is under palliative care for glioblastoma and is currently managing her pain with regular paracetamol. However, she has reported feeling nauseous. What would be the most suitable initial anti-emetic medication to prescribe for her?
As a member of staff at a GP practice, your supervising GP begins discussing the coroner’s responsibilities and when it is necessary to refer deceased patients to them. She asks you to identify which of the following cases should be referred to the coroner for an autopsy:
A patient in their 90s who passed away peacefully in their sleep at home.
Please indicate which case requires referral to the coroner.