New research launched into services for bereaved families

The OU has launched a new study into the Medical Examiners Service and its impact on bereaved families.

The Medical Examiner Service was introduced in January 2021. Medical examiners are qualified doctors who are independent of those who gave care to the deceased person. They assess the medical records of people who have died, and identify the cause of death. The service also allows families to ask questions about the care their loved ones received from health services.

The research is headed by Dr Kerry Jones, Senior Lecturer in End-of-Life Care at The Open University, and co-chair of the university’s Carer’s Research Group. She is joined by Sharon Mallon Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Wellbeing at Staffordshire University, who is also a former academic at the OU.

‘By understanding more about how this service is communicating with families after the death of a loved one, we can help to shape the service as it is rolled out across England and Wales,’ said Dr Jones.

‘We’d like to speak to anyone who has received support from the Medical Examiner Service. We know that talking about the death of a loved one and the grief we feel afterwards can be difficult. Rest assured that our researchers are experienced in talking to families about bereavement and will support you throughout your contribution to this study.’