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

To apply, complete the interested person review application form and email it – with a copy of the medical certificate or death certificate – to dcrs@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk.

You can also post your application to:

Healthcare Improvement Scotland Death Certification Review Service
Norseman House
2 Ferrymuir
South Queensferry
EH30 9QZ

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.