Written Question · S6W-11464 · Session 6
In light of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service's target to conduct its investigation and advise the next of kin of the outcome …
The question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal
Service's target to conduct its investigation and advise the next of kin of the
outcome within 12 weeks of the initial report of the death in at least 80% of
cases following a sudden or unexplained death, what (a) percentage and (b)
number of final post mortem reports were not issued within 12 weeks in (i) 2021
and (ii) 2022 to date.
The answer
COPFS aims to conduct its investigation and advise the next of kin of the outcome within 12 weeks of the initial report of the death in at least 80% of cases.
Reporting years 2020-21 and 2021-22 saw increases in deaths reported to COPFS of 44% and 40% respectively, reflecting a combination of factors including, but not restricted to, excess deaths attributable directly to COVID-19, local GPs having less contact with patients in the community and being unable to certify deaths, and changes in the process of dealing with and reporting deaths in the community.
The number of cases requiring further investigation, because no cause of death was immediately apparent, has therefore increased, with 7085 post-mortem examinations instructed in 2021-22, an increase of 742 on the previous year. The following table shows the numbers and percentage of deaths requiring further investigation for the last two reporting years and the first two quarters of the current year.
Progress against the published performance target is monitored regularly and has improved significantly this reporting year.
In deaths which require further investigation, conduct the investigation and advise the next of kin of the outcome within 12 weeks in at least 80% of cases
Cases closed within 12 weeks
Cases closed after more than 12 weeks
Total cases closed
Percentage closed within 12 weeks
2020-21
(15,712 deaths reported)
4,667
3,219
7,886
59%
2021-22
(15,308 deaths reported)
4,193
4,266
8,459
50%
2022-23 (to 30 September)
2,871
1,622
4,493
64%
Reporting years 2020-21 and 2021-22 saw increases in deaths reported to COPFS of 44% and 40% respectively, reflecting a combination of factors including, but not restricted to, excess deaths attributable directly to COVID-19, local GPs having less contact with patients in the community and being unable to certify deaths, and changes in the process of dealing with and reporting deaths in the community.
The number of cases requiring further investigation, because no cause of death was immediately apparent, has therefore increased, with 7085 post-mortem examinations instructed in 2021-22, an increase of 742 on the previous year. The following table shows the numbers and percentage of deaths requiring further investigation for the last two reporting years and the first two quarters of the current year.
Progress against the published performance target is monitored regularly and has improved significantly this reporting year.
In deaths which require further investigation, conduct the investigation and advise the next of kin of the outcome within 12 weeks in at least 80% of cases
Cases closed within 12 weeks
Cases closed after more than 12 weeks
Total cases closed
Percentage closed within 12 weeks
2020-21
(15,712 deaths reported)
4,667
3,219
7,886
59%
2021-22
(15,308 deaths reported)
4,193
4,266
8,459
50%
2022-23 (to 30 September)
2,871
1,622
4,493
64%
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S6W-11464 by reference.