Other functions of medical reviewers
20Training and information functions
(1)A medical reviewer (including the senior medical reviewer) has the functions mentioned in subsection (2).
(2)The functions are—
(a)to collate and analyse information relating to or contained in medical certificates of cause of death,
(b)to provide training, guidance and support to persons who are required to complete medical certificates of cause of death,
(c)to provide guidance and support to district registrars in relation to medical certificates of cause of death,
(d)to liaise with such persons as the medical reviewer considers appropriate with a view to improving—
(i)the accuracy of the information (and in particular the causes of death) recorded in medical certificates of cause of death, and
(ii)the administrative processes relating to the disposal of bodies.
21Duty to co-operate
Health Boards, Special Health Boards, the Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service and medical reviewers (including the senior medical reviewer) are to co-operate with one another in the exercise of their respective functions in relation to—
(a)the completion and review of medical certificates of cause of death (including in particular the recording of causes of deaths),
(b)the collation and analysis of information relating to the causes of death,
(c)the disposal of bodies.
22Guidance
In exercising functions under this Act, medical reviewers (including the senior medical reviewer) must have regard to any guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers for the purposes of or in connection with this Act.
23Annual report
(1)The senior medical reviewer must—
(a)prepare a report for each financial year on the activities of medical reviewers (including the senior medical reviewer) during the year, and
(b)provide such further information as the Scottish Ministers may reasonably require.
(2)As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each financial year, the senior medical reviewer must—
(a)send a copy of the report to the Scottish Ministers, and
(b)arrange for it to be published.
(3)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations—
(a)make further provision about the information to be contained in a report,
(b)require reports to be prepared on a more frequent basis,
(c)specify other persons to whom a copy of the report must be sent.