DCRS key resources

We have educational resources available. These support accurate completion of Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).

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Support around death (SAD) website

You can access the following resources on the SAD website:

• Death certification
• The Scottish MCCD review process

Educational resources

Resources to support accurate completion of a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death on the Support around death website:

• How to complete a paper Medical Certificate of Cause of Death – A 10 minute animated video hosted on Vimeo detailing how to complete a paper MCCD
• How to complete a paper Medical Certificate of Cause of Death – A written guide to support accurate completion of an MCCD
• Certification of Deaths in the Community – 60 minute e learning module on Turas (Note: You will need to login with your Turas account to access the module)
• Improving the quality of medical certificates of cause of death: Avoiding errors– 60 minute e learning module on Turas (Note: You will need to login with your Turas account to access the module)
• Top tips for certifying doctors – A downloadable desktop guide to help certifying doctors avoid the most common mistakes in writing MCCDs
• Hazards and Covid-19 – A downloadable file providing current CMO guidance on what constitute a hazard if the cause of death is Covid-19
• DCRS facilitated session – DCRS bespoke training for groups (12 or more), email his.dcrs@nhs.scot for an application form
• CMO guidance – Medical certificates of cause of death: guidance on completion on the Scottish Government website
• Reporting Covid Deaths to the Procurator Fiscal – Case scenarios of current CMO guidance around reporting Covid deaths to the Procurator Fiscal.
• Frequently Asked Questions for Non-Medical Staff. This is a short guide for non-medical staff who might interact with people who are bereaved, around the time of receiving the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
• Common Admin Errors. Some parts of the MCCD have been replicated to demonstrate where common admin errors occur. This does not contain all parts of the MCCD.

Application forms

• Advance registration application forms
• Interested person application form
• Death abroad application and declaration forms

Support leaflets