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Reportable deaths

Magistrates Court - Coroners Court

What is a reportable death?

The Coroners Act 2003 provides for the investigation of reportable deaths. Reportable deaths are defined as deaths where:

Deaths that are not the reasonably expected outcome of a health procedure

Definition: The person who died had undergone a health procedure and death was not the expected outcome of the procedure.

A health procedure includes dental, medical, diagnostic, surgical or other health related treatment or procedure and the administration of an anaesthetic, analgesic, sedative or other drug.

Deaths in care

Definition: The person who died:

Deaths in custody

Definition: The person who has died was either in custody, escaping from custody or trying to avoid custody.

Who reports a death to the coroner?

The Coroners Act 2003 imposes a duty on people to report “reportable deaths”.  Usually a police officer or medical practitioner reports a death to a coroner.  If the police officer or medical practitioner is unsure whether a death should be reported they will contact the local coroner to discuss the matter.

Last updated Tuesday, 20 November 2007 12:52

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