Gp Certified Death Over Video Call

[barry1010]

My family is extremely with our GP who still makes house calls when necessary and I find this very hard to swallow.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11155325/GP-told-widow-80-certify-husbands-body-filming-chat-link.html

Is this now an acceptable procedure?

[barry1010]

Ooops, should read 'My family is extremely lucky...'

[naomi24]

That really is disgraceful. That doctor should be named and shamed.

[barry1010]

I have no idea if this is now within the 'rules', naomi. If it isn't, I agree, he should be named and shamed and reported to the relevant authorities. It is inhumane.

[naomi24]

If it’s within the rules it damn well shouldn’t be. That’s an appalling way to treat people. Just not good enough.

[barry1010]

Oh my word, this practice was made legal under the Coronavirus Act 2020 but it is an emergency law. Now the coronavirus rules have relaxed surely this should stop.
The DM news report doesn't state when the gentleman died.
https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/uncategorised/gps-can-certify-death-without-attending-under-new-emergency-legislation/

[Tilly2]

I find this unbelievable!
Mr T doesn't have a smart phone so what will he do if I go first?

Please, someone, tell me it's not true.

[naomi24]

According to your DM link the man died earlier this month. Emergency procedures can’t possibly apply now. I really hope this is investigated.

[choux]

barry: "The widow lost her husband, who was 80 and had terminal cancer, shortly after 4pm on a weekday earlier this month."

[choux]

Near Manchester, maybe Kendall from links found for Silver Voices. I suppose the next poor soul in a similar situation should blindly call for an ambulance.

How bad would anyone feel that none could come to their home to attend the (probably) worst moment of your life?

[vulcan42]

A few months ago a friend was diagnosed with COPD by holding the phone to his chest and the doctor listening in. he was to use an inhaler but later, when he went for his annual heart check up, a specialist told him he didn't have or ever had COPD. Apparently being diagnosed over the phone is becoming quite normal where he lives.

[naomi24]

Dreadful Vulcan. Shameful.

[LadyCG]

Gosh, how callous.

[barry1010]

vulcan, over the years I've been by one consultant I have asthma, another consultant said I never had asthma - it's emphysema.
Yet another said it's asthma.
That was all face to face consultations after x-rays etc.

[Redhelen72]

When dad died, we phoned the GP, he pronounced him dead and informed us a nurse would be along in an hour or 2 - this was pre covid

[barry1010]

Who signed the death certificate, Helen?

[wolf63]

I found my dad's body in his home. I phoned 999 as I really had no idea what to do. They sent the police, an ambulance and a doctor. They were all very nice and helpful, especially the policeman.

[Sqad]

I guess the GP took a picture, uploaded it via a link to a website and the picture with a bar code brought up the confirmation of death..............just joshing.......I think ;-)

An expected death...terminal cancer, not much can be done for him.

O.K I agree that is unacceptable medical practice but I can't see what naming and shaming of the doctor involved is helpul.

[anneasquith]

Maybe we could find a passing neighbour to confirm death. Disgusting practice.
No ,our NHS is not the envy of the world.
I’ll be honest when I read that article I thought it was a joke,.
Maybe the same neighbour could deliver babies in the future, or minor surgery, ?

[Sqad]

May I tell you of an incident that happened to me?

[anneasquith]

Sqad , oh yes .