Verification of Death – Level 3

Welcome to The Mandatory Training Group’s online Verification of Death training course for front-line healthcare and social care providers. All our online training courses, programmes and qualifications are accredited by the CPD Certification Service (CPDUK).

When a patient/resident dies, the registered nurse has a duty to inform the doctor who has been treating them immediately. In the event of expected death, the doctor may pre-arrange to be informed at another time.

Confirmation or verification of death is defined as deciding whether a person is actually deceased. Verification of death can be undertaken by a competent registered nurse in line with their employer’s policies to determine local agreements about the circumstances in which this can be done. In contrast, certification of death is done by a registered medical practitioner.

Course content

This online Verification of Death training course covers the following:

• Introduction to verification of death
• Key definitions of the verification of death
• Professional and legal considerations
• Local policies and procedures
• Verification of expected death
• Verification of unexpected death
• Conditions unequivocally associated with death
• Procedure for verifying a death
• Clinical examination
• Care after death
• Documentation and record-keeping
• Role of the coroner and procurator fiscal
• Reporting to the health and safety executive
• Bereavement support and advice
• References and online learning resources.

Who is this course for?

This online Verification of Death Training training course should be completed by those who work in health and social care services, including:

• NHS medical and nursing staff,
• Locum doctors and nurses,
• Locum allied health professionals (AHPs),
• Care homes nurses
• GP practice nurses
• District nurses
• Agency nurses, and
• Community-based nurses.

Course aims

The aims and objectives of this online Verification of Death training course are to:

• To provide the learner with a clear understanding of the current UK legislation regarding verification of death by registered nurses
• Provide an awareness of the professional responsibilities relating to confirmation of death in hospital and community settings.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this online Verification of Death training course, the learner will:

• Understand the legal and professional context related to death verification and certification
• Differentiate between an expected and unexpected death, and any particular policies or procedures related to these
• Develop knowledge, skill and competence to perform verification of death sensitively.

Verification of Death – Level 3 – Online Training Course.