6 December 2024

National Grief Awareness Week and the Bereavement Team

We are highlighting our bereavement team during National Grief Awareness Week.

Joy Jones and Robert Tricker

Joy Jones and Robert Tricker

Grief is different for everyone and there is no fix for all or advice that will take it away. Grief is a process with different stages that cannot be rushed.

When you lose someone, it can be overwhelming and National Grief Awareness Week looks to highlight some of the resources that are available and remind you that you are not alone in how you feel.

The time immediately following the death of a loved one can be extremely stressful. Along with dealing with the emotional side, there are practical steps that must be processed.

The Trust Bereavement Team offers guidance and support to all who are bereaved. The team  works closely with the Medical Examiner Team which provides independent reviews of all non-coronial deaths within the Trust and East Sussex, offering additional support and advice to the next of kin.

We spoke to Joy Jones, Bereavement and Medical Examiner Services Manager, on the work her team do.

“We are a small team of nine people, led by myself and Robert Tricker, Deputy Bereavement Service Manager and Lead Medical Examiner Officer.

“When a patient dies, we liaise with the next of kin, offering support and advice on the next steps.

“Following a death the Bereavement and Medical Examiner Officers will:

  • Co-ordinate the efficient completion of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, as well as other paperwork required.
  • Keep the next of kin informed throughout the process.
  • Ensure all deaths are reviewed by an independent senior doctor called a Medical Examiner, referring the Coroner if needed.
  • Contact the next of kin by phone to inform them of the cause of death, the next steps, discuss any concerns, feedback, or questions they may have.
  • Electronically send the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the Registrar of Births and Deaths.
  • Liaise with outside agencies such as GPs, the Coroner’s Office, Funeral Directors, Registrars, etc.
  • Co-ordinate the release of the deceased patient to the chosen funeral director.

“We offer support to the bereaved for all deaths that occur within the hospitals and in the community. The District Nurse Team also offers support prior to death to patients and their loved ones. This is tailored to the families and their circumstances and all cases are treated individually.

“If we feel that additional support is needed following our initial conversation with the next of kin, then we are also able to make appropriate referrals for this.

“Working within the Bereavement and Medical Examiner Team can be extremely rewarding but we are dealing with extremely delicate subjects at a very stressful time for the bereaved. Training is required but the main attributes we would look for is empathy, understanding, calmness and being able to support and put others first.

“I would like to think we are a very supportive team with an open door policy if anyone needs to talk.

“The team support each other every day, even if it is for a few minutes after a difficult call or meeting which can be quite distressing at times.

“In September 2020 we launched the new national Medical Examiner Service, with the statutory phase starting in September 2024. The main aim is to independently scrutinize deaths and give families a voice during this process.

“Robert was instrumental in getting this up and running and due to the tireless work he has done and continues to do, we are now providing an efficient service to the people of East Sussex.

“I count myself very lucky to have such a fantastic team and cannot possibly thank them enough for the continuous work they do for the bereaved.”

Additional resources