Responding to the latest coroners’ statistics for England and Wales from the Ministry of Justice, Dr Bernie Croal, President of the Royal College of Pathologists, said:
`The latest Ministry of Justice statistics show that the medical examiner system is successfully providing independent scrutiny of causes of death and more appropriate referral to coroners. This has contributed to a significant reduction in the number of deaths being notified to coroners, fewer post-mortem examinations being carried out and a reduction in the number inquests where death was due to natural causes.
Fewer and more accurate referrals support efforts to relieve pressure on the coronial service, reducing delays and helping to provide a better service for bereaved families. The medical examiner system has been on a statutory footing since September 2024. In 2025 medical examiners reviewed over half a million deaths and almost all bereaved people took the opportunity to speak to a medical examiner or officer about the death of their loved one, giving them a better understanding of the cause of death and the opportunity to ask questions. Crucially, the medical examiner system also provides an opportunity for bereaved people to raise any concerns they may have.
Feedback from families to medical examiner offices continues to be overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the compassion demonstrated by medical examiners and officers and the reassurance given by speaking to someone independent.’
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