Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 16 March 2011
16 Mar 2011 · S3 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Certification of Death (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
I realise that section 8(2)(c) is rather a catch-all provision, but it is important that it be a little bit more specific. Accordingly, I have lodged amendment 3, because I think that interrogating relatives, carers or anyone who was involved in looking after the deceased in the final days of their terminal illness is important in ensuring the death certificate’s accuracy. Of course, in the vast majority of such instances, their evidence will corroborate the information on the certificate; nevertheless, even then, that confirmatory evidence will be welcome.
However, in a proportion of cases, remarks by such witnesses on, for example, the mode of death or the symptoms exhibited before death, or even just casual comments about medication that was taken or treatment given could prompt a medical reviewer to follow a new line of investigation that might result in a more accurate certificate at the end of the process. Such contact would also serve to reassure the relatives or carers that such matters are not treated lightly and might even allow them to come forward with concerns that would otherwise never be mentioned.
I move amendment 3.
However, in a proportion of cases, remarks by such witnesses on, for example, the mode of death or the symptoms exhibited before death, or even just casual comments about medication that was taken or treatment given could prompt a medical reviewer to follow a new line of investigation that might result in a more accurate certificate at the end of the process. Such contact would also serve to reassure the relatives or carers that such matters are not treated lightly and might even allow them to come forward with concerns that would otherwise never be mentioned.
I move amendment 3.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan)
SNP
The next item of business is stage 3 proceedings on the Certification of Death (Scotland) Bill. By this point in the session, members should know which docum...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Group 1 is on the procedure for revoking orders that suspend the referral and review of medical certificates of cause of death. Amendment 1, in the name of t...
The Minister for Public Health and Sport (Shona Robison)
SNP
Amendments 1, 2, 4 and 5 relate to the procedure that surrounds orders for the suspension of the review system during periods of epidemics or other similar e...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Group 2 is on conduct of review of medical certificates of cause of death. Amendment 3, in the name of Ian McKee, is the only amendment in the group.
Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP)
SNP
I realise that section 8(2)(c) is rather a catch-all provision, but it is important that it be a little bit more specific. Accordingly, I have lodged amendme...
Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD)
LD
I have much enjoyed working with Ian McKee and wholly support the substance of his amendment 3. However, it is a pity that it is ungrammatical. Given that th...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Dr Richard Simpson.
Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
My point has been made, Presiding Officer.
Shona Robison
SNP
I have to say that I did not know that we had such grammar boffins in the chamber. One learns something new every day.As amendment 3 might assist the reader ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Do you wish to add anything, Mr McKee?
Ian McKee
SNP
I just want to confirm Ross Finnie’s admirable point. I had a little help in drafting the amendment, but obviously one needs to look a little bit harder at a...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Group 3 is on creation and content of medical certificates of cause of death and any pilot scheme under the act. Amendment 7, in the name of Richard Simpson,...
Dr Simpson
Lab
Amendment 7, which follows on from the Health and Sport Committee’s stage 1 report and observations that I have made at each stage of the bill’s progress, ha...
Shona Robison
SNP
I do not support amending the bill to introduce discretionary powers to create electronic medical certificate of cause of death forms for use during the test...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I understand the minister’s response and appreciate what she said at stage 2. None of us would wish to delay funerals, which would be difficult for families....
Dr Simpson
Lab
I am slightly disappointed by the minister’s response, but I will seek to withdraw amendment 7. Subsection (1) of the amendment states:“the Scottish Minister...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
That ends consideration of amendments.