Decision details

SERVICE AREA:

Operations and Neighbourhoods Directorate

SUBJECT MATTER:

MEDICAL REFEREE FEE

DECISION:

That the Medical Referee fees are increased from £18 to £19 per form backdated from 1April 2018.

DECISION TAKER(S):

Executive Cabinet

DATE OF DECISION:

14 December 2018

REASON FOR DECISION:

To ensure the Councils meets its legal obligations with regard to providing a cremation service.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS REJECTED (if any):

To not increase the fees risks the Council not meeting it’s legal obligations with regard to the cremation services.

CONSULTEES:

None applicable

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

(Authorised by Section 151 Officer)

The proposed increase in medical examiners fees is greater than 2.5% however as all costs are recovered, it is still a competitive rate within Greater Manchester and there are no financial implications, it is considered an appropriate increase.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:

(Authorised by Borough Solicitor)

Medical referees at crematoria are paid by local authorities to scrutinise cremation certificates. If not satisfied, medical referees are required to contact the doctors completing certificates 4 and 5 and, if necessary, order an autopsy examination. They also have a duty, where appropriate, to refer a case to the coroner.

Medical referee fees for Forms 12 and 13 are no longer negotiated on a national level by the BMA. Each individual local authority will set fees for the completion of these forms.

The system for scrutiny over all deaths (both cremation and burial) is currently being reviewed by the Department of Health with the proposal to implement a Medical Examiner led system. Medical Examiners (appointed by local authorities) will replace the current roles of the medical referee and the two doctors completing the cremation forms.

Increasing the fee paid to the Medical Referee has no financial implication with regards to Bereavement Service revenue costs as any fees charged are recovered by income received. This fee forms part of the overall cremation fee and is paid by the family as part of the disbursement funeral costs. However, as the Council is a public body it has a duty of care to ensure that any fees are reasonable and proportionate to the function being paid for by the public.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

There were no declarations of interest.

DISPENSATION GRANTED BY STANDARDS COMMITTEE ATTACHED:

Not applicable.

REFERENCE DOCUMENTS:

The background papers relating to this report can be inspected by contacting the report author,:

Telephone: 0161 342 4461

e-mail: e-mail: michael.gurney@tameside.gov.uk