The murders committed by Harold Shipman have led to an overhaul of England's centuries-old coroners' service.
Figure. Dr. Harold Shipman: Could you sign this? Photo by: Canapress
This reform follows a 2-year inquiry into the actions of the British GP, who murdered 215 patients over 23 years. Investigators found that he was able to hide some crimes due to the lack of official control over death certificates. For example, he duped a colleague into providing a second signature on some of his victims' certificates. The new reforms require that the doctor providing the second signature must be independent and accredited by a statutory medical assessor.
Britain's coroners' service dates to 1275, when the duties of the custos placitorum coronae — “keeper of the Crown's pleas” — were first written into law. For years coroners have been selected by local officials, who also paid their salaries, but they could be removed from office only by order of Britain's lord chancellor.
The 122 reforms include a list of “second doctors” to sign death certificates. “It is essential that we build an effective system that commands public confidence,” said Paul Goggins, junior Home Office minister. — Mary Helen Spooner, West Sussex, UK