Discovering an individual who may have died
7.1 Refer to flow chart Unexpected/suspicious death.
7.2 If you discover a person who you think is dead, whatever the circumstances, make a note of the time and, available, press the emergency button/community alarm for back up.
7.3 Phone 999, request ambulance and police assistance and give as much detail about the individual’s circumstances and position as possible. Follow any instructions given by the emergency services e.g. applying basic first aid, not touching the individual, agreeing who should contact the next of kin/emergency contact.
7.4 Phone the relevant manager, or emergency duty team if the discovery occurs out of hours, and agree with the police who will take responsibility for contacting the next of kin/emergency contact.
7.5 The "agreed responsible person" (7.4) will phone the next of kin/emergency contact, saying they believe the individual has died but this has not been certified by a GP.
7.6 Do not move the person or touch any of their possessions unless it is to make a potential hazard safe e.g. turning off the cooker. Try to avoid touching anything else as this may disturb forensic evidence.
7.7 In the interest of privacy and dignity and particularly if instructed by the police/or your manager, try to ensure that only people who have an appropriate need to approach the individual, their room and belongings have access to do so. Staff should not attempt to enforce this if they feel their own safety is at risk.
7.8 Try to ensure that next of kin/representatives are as supported as much as possible.
7.9 Complete an incident form and update case notes before leaving work and ensure these are made available to the manager. (Accident, incident and near miss reporting and investigation form Report an Incident).
7.10 In care homes, the registered manager will notify CQC of the incident within 24 hours, or on the nearest working day. See Outcomes 4 & 18, Essential Standards of Quality and Safety 2010:
Death of a person using the service – notification form - Care Quality Commission
(see "When sudden death occurs", a leaflet on Coroners and Inquests)
