On Sat, 2004-01-17 at 11:37, dr brian crowley wrote:
> Or as you say, there'll be a dearth of willing volunteers.
An interesting point. Until now arranging the second doctor ("part 2",
Form C) has been easy, and a rather cosy arrangement. You scratch my
back and I'll scratch yours. This is predicated on signing "part 2"
being a doddle and money for old rope, just a quick chat between old
friends on the phone and a visit to the undertakers to view the cadaver.
I feel happy with this when I know the doctor who has signed "part 1" (I
am highly confident that none of my GP friends are serial killers),
although I sometimes get a bit anxious when I am rung by a GP whom I
don't know personally.
But if the work involved in signing part 2 becomes excessive then GPs
won't want to burden their friends with that sort of load. Presumably
there is no statutory duty on doctors to carry out the work to determine
whether part 2 can be signed. Perhaps we can just dump the problem with
the undertakers? "I've done my bit, now you find someone to sign part
2".
The duties of the "part 2" doctor could quickly become extremely
onerous: visit the "part 1" doctor for a face to face interview, inspect
the patient's notes, visit the scene of death, interview relatives. I
wonder what sort of fee that would command.
--
Michael Leuty <[log in to unmask]>
|