Deaths in England and Wales to be reviewed by senior doctor if not referred to coroner

Major overhaul of system is designed to reassure relatives and reduce risk of malicious action by health care workers

The death certification system in England and Wales will get its biggest overhaul in decades next month, with a change designed to improve public protection.

Every death that has not been referred to a coroner will have to bereferred to a medical examiner from 9 September, under regulations laid before parliament in April.