Coroner at the end of the tunnel

Recall - the current Law on Cemeteries and Burial dates from 1959, and its last amendment took place in 1961. Since then, almost everything in Poland has changed: the administrative system, the structure of health care, the conditions of social life and the technological capabilities of the state. Meanwhile, the current archaic regulations refer to institutions that have long ceased to exist - such as the Gromadzka Rada Narodowa, whose today's counterpart is the district starosty. There is also talk of village midwives, who, according to the law, had the right to declare death - but such a function no longer exists in practice.

Regulations that are mismatched to modern times multiply problems, especially in situations of sudden deaths, in public places and unclear situations. Who is to determine the cause of death and on what basis? When is a pos doctor, and when, for example, a paramedic? The lack of clear regulations means that many cases end up with unnecessary administrative complications, delays and even conflicts.

- Therefore, the news that the government has approved for implementation a draft of a new law on cemeteries and burials, in which, for the first time, the function of the coroner is spoken of so clearly and systemically, gives hope for real change. According to the draft, coroners will be appointed at the county level, which is where the need for such intervention is most common. The draft also provides for cooperation between coroners from different counties - this is particularly important in situations that cross administrative boundaries or require quick action on weekends and holidays. For the first time, the function of the coroner will be regulated by law, and his presence in the health care system - sanctioned! - Bozena Janicka emphasizes.

An important impetus for the work on the new law is also the drive to fully computerize the process of reporting deaths and births - including stillbirths. This will ensure that information about deaths or births will flow to the relevant institutions in real time, which will increase transparency, facilitate the work of administration and services, and help with statistical demographic records.

- Electronic reporting of deaths is another step toward a modern state. The new regulations are also expected to regulate other important issues - such as procedures related to the deaths of soldiers and civilians working in military contingents, as well as paperwork for cremation or nameless burials. These are important elements of the system, which until now have often remained in a legal gray area, the president stresses.

Doctors of the Healthcare Employers' Alliance are looking with hope at the government's announcement that work on the bill will begin as early as the second half of the year.

- We have waited a long time for this! We made one of the first public appeals on this issue 18 years ago. Even then, we pointed out that without clear procedures for determining deaths, it was impossible for primary health care to function smoothly. Today there is hope that after nearly two decades of waiting - the government will indeed bring this process to a conclusion," comments Bozena Janicka.

If the new law is passed and implemented as expected, coroners will become an important part of the health care system, guaranteeing professional, unambiguous and prompt action in cases of death - without unnecessary misunderstandings.

- Finally, there is a chance to close the chapter of outdated regulations and replace them with a law that corresponds to the realities of the 21st century, PPOZ doctors emphasize.

infra