Post death procedure - East Cheshire NHS Trust

o You must note whether the patient has had valuables/cash in safe custody either inthe ward safe or cash office. Please check the property disclaimer form for details.o Please check locker and all pockets of pyjama trousers. These may hold cash, keysetc. Do not forget teeth, hearing aid etc. (Please put clean teeth in mouth ofdeceased when possible.)o Property must not be placed in any other bag eg supermarket bags. It is aninsensitive thing to do as the property remains in the bags and handed to grievingpartner / relatives as packed.o The personal effects and case notes are collected from the ward by a porter anddelivered to General OfficeLISTING PROPERTY4.1 ExceptionsAll property, valuables and cash are listed, with the exception of opened cordial andfizzy pop bottles and perishable foods e.g. fruit. These remain on the ward fordisposal.4.2 Soiled linenIf linen/clothes are dirty/soiled, using gloves, please seal in a waterproof bag(available on wards). Do not place inside the patient's property bag, as relatives aregiven the option of taking soiled items home. If they are hidden and there is a delayin the property being collected, they start to become smelly and unpleasant for thegeneral office staff to deal with.4.3 Valuables/jewelleryValuables on the patient at time of death must be recorded.Please leave all rings on the body insitu and list on the shroud ticket. Pleaseremove neck chains, bracelets, ear rings and watches and place in a clearly marked,green patient’s property envelope, and record in the valuables section on thepatient’s personal effects record, duly witnessed and taken to the General Office.Please respect the wishes of the family as to what is removed or left on the body.4.4 Purses/walletsContents of purses/wallets must be listed in the ‘valuables’ section of patientspersonal effects record. Hospital Rules “Standing Financial Instructions” state thatamounts over £20 must go to the Cash Office, and recorded in the Valuables Bookused for the Cash Office. Therefore all cash over £20 must not be sent to GeneralOffice with the jewellery etc but to the cash office.5 POST MORTEMNurses must not inform relatives / partner that paperwork will be ready at anytime. Advise relatives / partner to ring the General Office on 01625 661107, as apost mortem may need to be held. A death certificate cannot be issued if the coronerrequests a post mortem. If a post mortem is deemed necessary for any otherreason, a death certificate may be issued with an endorsement that furtherinformation may be issued after the post mortem. General Office will advise thefamily regarding the Coroner, Death and Cremation certificates but this may notnecessarily be until the next working day. On occasions because a death issuspicious the Police may become immediately involved.9/34