Apply for a medical certificate review

You have the right to ask for a medical certificate to be reviewed if you have questions or concerns about the cause of death of a family member. This is called an 'interested person review'.

Healthcare professionals and funeral directors can also apply for an interested person review.

You can apply before or after the death is registered. If you apply before the death is registered, the funeral cannot take place until the review is complete. If you apply after the death is registered, this will not delay the funeral taking place.

How to apply

If you would like to apply for an interested person review you must complete an application form and email it to the Death Certification Review Service (DCRS) team, along with a copy of the medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD). 

The email address for DCRS is his.dcrs@nhs.scot.

You can also request a copy of the application form by emailing his.dcrs@nhs.scot, or by phoning 0300 123 1898. The opening hours for DCRS are 08:30 to 17:30 Monday to Friday.

More information can be found on the Healthcare Improvement Scotland website.

After you apply

If your application is successful, a medical reviewer will review the medical certificate and speak to the doctor who certified it. Healthcare Improvement Scotland will write to you with the outcome of the review.