Verification of Expected Death

Verification of Death is an important stage in the process for relatives and carers. Until this has been performed, no further action can be taken with regard to the deceased. If this process is delayed because of the unavailability of a doctor, (especially out of hours, due to prioritisation of most urgent need) relatives and carers may be left for a significant time unable to begin what should be a normal process.

This course is for nurses who work in care homes, palliative care, hospices, and with patients in the community. You will gain skills and knowledge on the implications of expected death. You will develop your clinical skills as well as communication skills on this course. This course will give you the confidence you require to verify an expected death. The Course can be delivered as a Bespoke course in your place of work. Please contact Annie Barr for further details.

• Background and importance of training and competence
• Legal issues
• Scope and responsibilities
• Definitions and processes
• Procedures
• Clinical examination following expected death
• Eyes examination of the fundi and pupils
• Chest examination - respirations heart sounds
• Pulses
• Categories of death
• Action to be taken as result of death
• Verification of death guidelines
• Communication with relatives
• Communication in and out of hours

• Develop the skills required in determining expected death
• Fully understand legal requirements of recording a fact of death

• Hospice Nurses
• Nurses who work in Care Homes
• Community Nurses
• Community Matrons
• Macmillan Nurses
• Cancer Care Nurses
• District Nurses