Under State health legislation, there are three types of deaths that must be notified to the Department of Health. This notification is required in addition to the normal certification and registration of death procedures, or notification to the Coroner under specific circumstances.
Click on the text to go to the relevant page.
Deaths of persons under anaesthetic
Outlines the procedures for notifying the Department of Health about deaths where there is reasonable doubt that the administration of an anaesthetic may have contributed to or caused the death.
Perinatal and infant deaths
Outlines the procedures for notifying the Department of Health about the death of a child of more than 20 weeks gestation and up to one year of age.
Death of a woman as a result of pregnancy or childbirth
Outlines the procedures for notifying the Department of Health about the death of a woman as the result of pregnancy or childbirth or complications arising from this.
For information about certification / registration or notification to the Coroner, see below:
1. Certification and registration of all deaths
All deaths, other then deaths reportable to the Coroner, must have a medical certificate of cause of death completed, and must be registered with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Information about the requirements and procedures for certifying and registering deaths is provided on the Department of Justice website (under Registrations), or is available from:
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
Level 10, 141 St Georges Terrace
Perth WA 6000
| Phone: |
(08) 9264 1555 |
|---|
| Facsimile: |
(08) 9264 1599 |
|---|
2. Deaths reportable to the coroner
Certain deaths are reportable under the Coroner's Act 1996.
For more information visit:
- The Office of Safety and Quality website - Coronial Liaison Initiative (External link) (provides information on the coronial process and deaths/hospital deaths that must be reported to the Coroner).
- The Office of the State Coroner (External link) website (Courts of WA under Courts, Tribunal & Boards) or phone:
The Coroner's Court (Business hours)
Coronial inquiries (24 Hours)
